China’s capital city Beijing is experiencing an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease, with the number of cases increasing from 2,645 to 3,013 a week in the May 26-June 22 period, according to the Beijing Disease Prevention and Control Centre.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a contagious viral illness that commonly affects infants and young children, though it also can affect older children and adults. There is no vaccine to prevent the disease, which usually starts with a fever, reduced appetite, sore throat and a feeling of being unwell.
A day or two after the fever starts, painful sores can develop in the mouth. A skin rash with flat red spots may also develop on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Sometimes a rash also occurs on the knees, elbows, and buttocks. This rash may blister but won’t itch.
Not every sufferer gets all symptoms, while some may show no symptoms at all but still pass the virus to others.
China’s capital city Beijing is experiencing an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease, with the number of cases increasing from 2,645 to 3,013 a week in the May 26-June 22 period, according to the Beijing Disease Prevention and Control Centre.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a contagious viral illness that commonly affects infants and young children, though it also can affect older children and adults. There is no vaccine to prevent the disease, which usually starts with a fever, reduced appetite, sore throat and a feeling of being unwell.
A day or two after the fever starts, painful sores can develop in the mouth. A skin rash with flat red spots may also develop on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Sometimes a rash also occurs on the knees, elbows, and buttocks. This rash may blister but won’t itch.
Not every sufferer gets all symptoms, while some may show no symptoms at all but still pass the virus to others.
