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Hand, Foot and Mouth DiseaseHand, foot and mouth disease is a viral infection, usually caused by Coxsackievirus A. It is most common in children. Most adults are immune to the virus because they had contact with it as a child. Symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease include a fever and sore throat, followed by sores or blisters in your mouth and on your hands and feet. The incubation period (the time between catching the disease and showing symptoms) is three to five days. During this time, the virus can be passed on. Hand, foot and mouth disease is highly contagious and spreads through: coughs and sneezes, contact with infected stools and contact with the fluid in the blisters. Ideally, pregnant women should avoid close contact with anyone with HFMD and follow advice to minimise the risk of transmission, especially if it is approaching the end of your pregnancy. There’s normally no risk to your unborn baby, as complications are rare; however in very rare cases during the first three months of pregnancy, it may result in miscarriage due to the high temperature or shortly before you give birth – the infection can be passed on to your baby. If you develop any type of rash when you’re pregnant or come in to contact with hand, foot and mouth contact your GP or midwife. ................
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