This is a mild viral illness that mostly affects children.  The symptoms are: sudden development of a high temperature; a sore throat and small blisters on the mouth, palms of hands and soles of feet.

It occurs more commonly in summer and early autumn and is spread by direct contact in the early infectious stage of the illness.  Symptoms will appear 3-5 days after exposure to the virus.

 

No treatment is required as the sores heal on their own. Spread of the disease can be limited by keeping infectious children away from other children, careful hand washing, regular washing of toys that come in contact with saliva or nasal discharge and encouraging children to use their own towels.