A:
I believe your grandson's classmate actually has hand-foot-and-mouth disease. This is different than foot-and-mouth disease, which occurs only in animals like cattle, sheep, and swine, and is caused by a different virus.
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is caused by a group of viruses called enterovirus. It is quite contagious. Most often it infects infants and children under age 10.
This virus can easily be spread by direct contact with saliva and mucus from the nose and throat. It also spreads by unwashed hands or contact with contaminated surfaces.
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease typically causes an initial fever and blister-like spots in the throat, gums, and on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. There may be some vomiting and diarrhea.
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is generally mild. Complications, such as dehydration or meningitis, are possible but not common.
There is no specific treatment for enterovirus infections. Supportive measures can help children be more comfortable. Acetaminophen can lower fever and ease the pain of mouth ulcers.
As long as you take preventive measures, such as frequent hand-washing and disinfecting contaminated surfaces, the spread of infection can be kept to a minimum.
Henry H. Bernstein, D.O., is a senior lecturer in Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. In addition, he is chief of General Academic Pediatrics at Children's Hospital at Dartmouth and professor of pediatrics at Dartmouth Medical School. He is the former associate chief of General Pediatrics and director of Primary Care at Children's Hospital Boston. 
