what is foot and mouth diseases and how is it transmitted?

foot-and-mouth disease highly contagious disease almost exclusive to cattle, sheep, swine, goats, and other cloven-hoofed animals. It is caused by a virus that was identified in 1897. Among its symptoms are fever, loss of appetite and weight, and blisters on the mucous membranes, especially those of the mouth, feet, and udder. Discharge from the blisters is heavily infected with the virus, as are saliva, milk, urine, and other secretions. Thus the disease is readily spread by contact; by contaminated food, water, soil, or other materials; or through the air. Humans, who seldom contract the disease, may be carriers, as may rats, dogs, birds, wild animals, and frozen meats.Quarantine, slaughter and complete disposal of infected animals, and disinfection of contaminated material, are prescribed to limit contagion. There is no effective treatment. With vaccines, introduced in 1938, and sanitary controls, foot-and-mouth disease has been excluded or eliminated from North and Central America, Australia and New Zealand, Japan, and Ireland; and occurrences have become infrequent in Great Britain and continental Europe. The disease persists through much of Asia, Africa, and South America.

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My child got this when she was 2 and she was miserable. It is a rash like stuff with bumps that were very painful. It was in her mouth, between her toes, between her fingers and randomly on her torso. She got it at a birthday party that there were 8 kids at and 6 of the 8 got it. Her pediatrician advised me to take a medicine cup, mix about 1/2 teaspoon of Milk of Magnesia with 1/2 teaspoon of Benadryl and take a q-tip and rub a little bit of it on the inside of her mouth. It numbed it! Please talk to your physician before doing this though. It really did help my daughter.

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http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/enterovirus/hfhf.htmWhat is hand, foot, and mouth disease? Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common illness of infants and children. It is characterized by fever, sores in the mouth, and a rash with blisters. HFMD begins with a mild fever, poor appetite, malaise (“feeling sick”), and frequently a sore throat. Is HFMD the same as foot-and-mouth disease?No. HFMD is often confused with foot-and-mouth disease of cattle, sheep, and swine. Although the names are similar, the two diseases are not related at all and are caused by different viruses.Is HFMD contagious?Yes, HFMD is moderately contagious. Infection is spread from person to person by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, saliva, fluid from blisters, or the stool of infected persons. A person is most contagious during the first week of the illness. HFMD is not transmitted to or from pets or other animals.Can HFMD be prevented?Specific prevention for HFMD or other non-polio enterovirus infections is not available, but the risk of infection can be lowered by good hygienic practices. Preventive measures include frequent handwashing, especially after diaper changes (see “Handwashing” in: “An Ounce of Prevention: Keeps the Germs Away” at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/op/handwashing.htm), cleaning of contaminated surfaces and soiled items first with soap and water, and then disinfecting them by diluted solution of chlorine-containing bleach (made by mixing approximately ¼ cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water. (See more about cleaning and disinfecting in general at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/op/cleaning.htm). Avoidance of close contact (kissing, hugging, sharing utensils, etc.) with children with HFMD may also help to reduce of the risk of infection to caregivers.HMFD in the childcare settingHFMD outbreaks in child care facilities occur most often in the summer and fall months, and usually coincide with an increased number of cases in the community. by eating contaminated meats or just touching it