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.

Symptoms and signs of coxsackievirus infections and hand, foot, and mouth disease include rash. Symptoms of general coxsackievirus infection also include the common cold, diarrhea, sore throat, and less commonly, severe symptoms may include meningitis, encephalitis, chest pain, and inflammation of the heart. Symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease also 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.