Hand, Foot And Mouth Disease Diagnoses Increase In Midstate: Doc

NASHVILLE, TN -- Before this week, many Americans had probably never heard of hand, foot and mouth disease, unless they happened to be pediatricians or epidemiologists studying Southeast Asia, but thanks to a most unusual trip to the disabled list, the viral infection is making headlines, and it's making headway in Middle Tennessee, a Vanderbilt doctor says.

Sunday, the New York Mets placed ace pitcher Noah Syndergaard on the disabled list with the disease, prompting confusion - and some funny comments about Syndergaard being the true GOAT - from people more accustomed to hoof-and-mouth or foot-and-mouth disease, common in livestock. Hand, foot and mouth is totally unrelated and while common, particularly among children, in Asia, outbreaks are rare in the United States. Syndergaard, for what it's worth, thinks he caught it while visiting a youth baseball camp.

Joseph Gigante, pediatrics professor at Monroe Carrell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, told Fox 17 cases in Middle Tennessee have been surging in recent weeks - the hospital is seeing several cases a day. It's a problem compounded by the fact that Midstate students head back to school in the next few weeks.

The virus, which causes lesions in the mouth and on the tongue and a rash on the hands and feet, is incurable, but usually clears up within 10 days. Adults who contract it sometimes don't show symptoms, but they can still be contagious. Contagiousness peaks in the first week after contraction.

Early symptoms include fever, sore threat and general malaise, followed by the development of painful lesions, which may resemble blisters, on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks. The rash on the hands and feet typically doesn't itch, but it can blister. Syndergaard, for example, had to be removed from his last start after his pitching suffered because of a blister, difficulty breathing and heavy fatigue.

In particular, children often become irritable (hard to blame them) and most who are infected lose their appetite.

Doctors say handwashing is the best preventative measure and to isolate anyone who shows symptoms, along with anyone in close contact with the patient. Toys and common areas of the home should also be disinfected.

Subscribe to Nashville Patch for more health updates, local news and real-time alerts

Image via Centers for Disease Control and Prevention