What’s the deal with hand, foot and mouth disease?

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Major League pitchers Noah Syndergaard and J.A. Happ are back on the mound after both being sidelined with hand, foot and mouth disease in recent weeks. But the illness, which is common in children, is still out there for others to catch.

The ailment that made headlines in the sports sections of New York newspapers — making Mets fans feel cursed and Yankees fans antsy — is most commonly caused by Coxsackievirus A16. Both pitchers were placed on the disabled list, but have since returned.

Though most common in children under 5 years old, according to Dr. Michael Moskowitz, co-chairman of Catholic Health Services’ Primary Care Service Line, the virus is very contagious and can be spread to older children and adults through saliva, mucus, blister fluid or feces. Hugging an infected person, for example, or being near someone with the virus when they cough or sneeze can result in transmitting the disease.

“You form antibodies against it if you’re ever exposed to it, [so] you don’t get it over and over again,” Moskowitz said. “Probably both Noah Syndergaard and J.A. Happ were never exposed to it, so that’s why they got it.”

Symptoms often include fever, sore throat, painful mouth sores and a blistery rash on the hands, feet and knees.

“The most common complaint is that you just feel sick,” said Moskowitz, who has offices in Bellmore and on Mercy Medical Center’s campus in Rockville Centre.

Generally, a person with hand, foot, and mouth disease is most contagious during the first week of illness, but people can sometimes be contagious for days or weeks after symptoms go away. Some, especially adults, may become infected and not develop any symptoms, but can still spread the virus. Because of this, Moskowitz said, people should always try to maintain good hygiene, such as frequent hand-washing, to minimize their chance of spreading or getting infections.

There is currently no vaccine in the United States to protect against the viruses that cause hand, foot, and mouth disease. 

Though there’s no specific treatment, those with the illness can take over-the-counter medications to relieve pain and fever, or use mouthwashes or sprays to numb mouth pain. Though it may be painful to swallow with mouth sores, Moskowitz said, it is important to stay hydrated.