Several different viruses can cause sores and ulcers in the mouth. However, a GP will normally be able to distinguish hand, foot and mouth disease from other viral infections by:
- The age of the affected person. Hand, foot and mouth disease is most common in children under the age of 10.
- The pattern of symptoms. Symptoms begin with fever and a sore throat; spots then develop in your mouth and later on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet.
- The appearance of sores. The sores are smaller than chickenpox sores.
A throat swab or stool sample may be taken and sent to a laboratory to determine which enterovirus has caused hand, foot and mouth disease. The result usually takes a few days.
