Abstract

DANTAS, Ana; OLIVEIRA, Maria João; LOURENCO, Olena  and  COELHO, Paulo Baptista. Hand, food and mouth disease in the adult: case report. Rev Port Med Geral Fam [online]. 2013, vol.29, n.1, pp.62-65. ISSN 2182-5173.

Introduction: Hand, food and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common infection caused by the Enteroviruses group, including Coxsackievirus A and Enterovirus 71. It usually affects children between the ages of three and ten years old and is rare in adults. In most cases it is self-limited but cardiac and neurological complications or even death may ensue. Case Report: We report the case of a 35 year old man who went to his general practitioner with complaints of fever, pain, paresthesias of the hands and feet, odynophagia, and ulcerated lesions in the oral cavity that did not improve with antibiotic treatment. Suspecting a viral disease, the physician ordered tests that confirmed the diagnosis of HFMD, allowing for appropriate management and follow-up. Comment: HMFD is rare in adults and even typical manifestations can be misdiagnosed. Maintaining a strong clinical suspicion can ensure correct management and follow-up.

Keywords : Hand, foot and mouth disease; Enterovirus; Coxsackievirus.

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