#hand foot and mouth disease

A recent outbreak of hand foot and mouth disease on the campus of Florida State University has students and administrators taking extra precautions. Over a dozen cases of the illness, normally seen in children younger than 5, have been reported on the campus. 

Via CNN: 

The outbreak began as “a trickle” on Monday, Sacher said, noting that the infection is more common in day care centers than on college campuses. However, cases occur with regularity on college campuses, according to the American College Health Association.

Pediatricians have also noted a rise in cases of the disease among children this year. 

Dr. Christopher Houts of Powell Pediatric Care in Ohio said he’s seen more cases this year than anytime in his 21 years as a pediatrician. While patients usually begin to come in during the summer, this year, they’ve arrived at his community practice early, beginning in the spring.

Signs and symptoms of the disease include fever, sore throat, and painful sores. The sores most often appear in the mouth and on palms and soles of the feet, though they can also show up on knees, elbows, buttocks or genitals, and can become ulcers. Adults often show now symptoms but can still be carriers and disburse the virus. The virus is spread the same way a cold might, through the air (sneezing or coughing) or direct contact with saliva, mucus, blister fluid, or feces. 

Besides the obvious discomfort the disease can cause, most cases resolve themselves within a week.

Learn more about the outbreak at CNN here, and learn more about the diease itself at the CDC.