A viral illness is spreading in Virginia, doctors are warning.
The disease is affecting children, doctors in the Central Shenandoah Health District said in a letter sent out on Wednesday.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) has been seen widely in the district in recent weeks, officials said, noting the illness primarily infects children up to age 5, although anyone can become infected.
A skin rash or red spots also begin to appear on the hands and/or feet.
Indeed, some patients cannot swallow enough liquids to avoid dehydration; if that’s the case, officials say they'll need to receive the liquids intravenously.
The illness spreads through close personal contact, such as hugging an infected person, or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Touching contaminated objects such as a doorknob that has viruses on it can also cause contraction of the illness.
People who get hand, foot, and mouth disease should know there is no specific treatment but they’re encouraged to take over-the-counter medications to relieve pain and fever and use mouthwashes or sprays that numb mouth pain.
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