Hand foot and mouth disease in immunocompetent patients. Case series

Abstract

Abstract

Hand foot and mouth disease is a very contagious viral exanthematous disease, predominantly in the pediatric age. Its most frequent etiologic agents are Coxsackie virus and Enterovirus. It is clinically characterized by fever accompanied or followed by erosions in the oral cavity, and vesicular exanthema in acral regions, usually self-limited, but can present severe complications with neurological, pulmonary and cardiac compromise. Due to recent outbreaks, it is considered an emerging public health concern, not only in pediatric population, but also in adults. We present cases of immunocompetent adult patients with intrafamilial transmission of Coxsackie B, without severe complications. These cases highlight the need for preventive measures that may inhibit epidemic outbreaks, in addition to highlighting the infrequent presentation in immunocompetent adults.