Why does HFM (coxsackie virus) only cause sores on certain parts of the body when other similar diseases (measles, chickenpox, smallpox, etc.) affects all areas of the body?
In: 6
Because these areas of the body are more vulnerable to infection. The mouth, hands, and feet are exposed to the outside environment more frequently than other parts of the body, and are therefore more likely to come into contact with the viruses that cause hand, foot, and mouth disease. Also, the mouth, hands, and feet have a high concentration of nerve endings, which makes them more sensitive to infection and inflammation.
The reason that the virus causes sores to develop only on those specific parts of the body is not fully understood. It is thought that the virus may have a preference for certain types of cells or tissues in the body, and that these cells or tissues are more commonly found in the hands, feet, and mouth.
Additionally, the immune system response to the virus may also play a role in the development of the sores. The body’s immune system may produce certain chemicals or proteins that cause inflammation and damage to the cells in the hands, feet, and mouth, leading to the formation of sores.
My comment will not help much,since people explained. Just want to say thank god its only on those parts. I had enough to deal with those 3 last year, don’t want to think it could itch on others parts
It also causes sores in the groin. It’s sometimes conflated with a diaper rash if it manifests there in babies.
It doesnt.
All three of my kids had it a few months ago and they all presented so differently.
10 y/o had the usual spots on his hand and feet, maybe one or two around his mouth.
10 month old had it in the groin area only, big blisters it honestly loo
ked like she had a horrendous case of herpes!
3 y/o had it the worst, he had it all over his body and had the sick symptoms to go with it. Poor little bugger, he has also recently had an uncommon complication where his toe and fingernails are falling off.
Apparently sometimes it causes your nails to just stop growing for a while! His hands and feet look so bad right now.
It actually doesn’t only develop there, though that is the most typical. My son developed it head to foot.
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