The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 03:04 PM
East Tn Docs Seeing Increase In "Hand, Foot, Mouth" Disease
The Knox County Health Department said typically, people with the virus will experience painful blisters or sores around their hands, feet, mouth or torso and it can also develop a fever.
Dr. Robin Huskey at Well-Key Urgent said kids under five years old are more likely to get it because they tend to put their hands in their mouth after touching something contaminated, but adults can get it too.
She said there's a reason they're seeing more cases of it now.
"We are seeing it more right now because kids are getting back to day cares and back to schools. We do see more of it in the summer," she said.
Dr. Huskey said the virus usually lasts two to three days and to keep sick kids out of school or daycare until the fever goes away for at least 24 hours. If a child gets hand, foot and mouth disease, be sure to disinfect the home and their toys.