According to the CDC, hand, foot and mouth disease is a common viral illness that typically affects children under the age of five. The viral infection is characterized by fever, loss of appetite, sore throat and malaise. One or two days after the fever begins, sores can appear in the mouth and can turn into ulcers. Also, blisters may form on the hands and soles of feet one or two days after the first signs of fever.
The virus is spread via person-to-person contact or contact with objects contaminated by the mucus secretions, blister fluid or feces of an infected person. University health officials are urging students to sanitize their living areas and for local restaurants and bars to disinfect their premises.
Lesley Sacher, director of the FSU Health and Wellness Center, said, “The most important piece of advice is to wash your hands often with soap and water.”
More articles on infection control:
After common dental procedure, 7 children hospitalized in Orange County with bacterial infections
UW intensifies testing after patient death linked to Legionnaires’ disease
Ice maker, sinks linked to UW Medical Center Legionnaires’ outbreak; 2 dead
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