Characteristics of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease

Abstract

The Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) are an acute, highly contagious viral disease. Initial symptoms are fever, poor appetite, and fatigue. The fever occurs 1-2 days after onset of oral ulceration. Then on the distal parts of the extremities occurs rash, usually lasts for 7-10 days, and spontaneously resolved. The disease is most often had classified as benign infection, which generally does not require therapeutic treatment. Recent findings have been warning that the number of maladies cases of HFMD in the world is growing. Especially in the last four years, serious cases with many severe complications, (aseptic meningitis, pneumonia, prolonged febrile state, long-term fatigue, muscle and joint pain, recurrent pain, expressed dehydration) increasing. Examination of the major epidemics in the world has shown that the most common causes of diseases are two types of enter viruses (Ev): Coxsakievirus (Cox) of the group A, subtype A16 (CoxA-16), and enter virus 71 (Ev-71). ECHO and other enteroviruses may also be associated with HFMD. In September 2014, in Montenegro were registered epidemic of HFMD with 29 diagnostic cases. In the total sample of maladies, child population of 4-12 years accounted for 20 (71%), and adults for 9 (29%) cases. The first cases were registering in Pljevlja. In short time, disease has assumed epidemic proportions with 25 registered cases. In the same period in Podgorica were registered four cases. We analyzed the epidemiological, clinical characteristics of the disease, with special emphasis on diagnostic difficulties and prognosis of disease.