Symptoms and Signs of Coxsackievirus vs. Hand Foot Mouth Disease (HFMD)

Doctor's Notes on Coxsackievirus vs. Hand Foot Mouth Disease (HFMD)

Coxsackieviruses cause various types of infections, including the common cold and other infections that can be mild to life threatening. One variation, the coxsackievirus A-16, is responsible for hand, foot, and mouth disease, a common childhood illness. Coxsackievirus infections are contagious.

Rash is a shared symptom of coxsackievirus infections and hand, foot, and mouth disease.

Symptoms of general coxsackievirus infection also include:

• the common cold, 
• diarrhea, 
• sore throat.

Less commonly, severe symptoms of coxsackievirus infection may include:

• meningitis, 
• encephalitis, 
• chest pain, and
• inflammation of the heart.

Symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease include fever and general malaise (poor appetite, aches and pains, etc.). After 1 to 2 days, a blister-like rash develops on the hands, feet, and in the mouth.

What Is the Treatment for Coxsackievirus vs. Hand Foot Mouth Disease?

There are no medical treatments that can cure coxsackievirus or hand, foot, and mouth disease. In healthy children, these infections typically go away on their own without treatment. Medications to control pain and fever may be given, and it is important to make sure your child consumes enough liquids to stay hydrated and gets enough rest while recovering from the infection.