Hand, foot and mouth disease cases increase in Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- More children are bringing home hand, foot and mouth disease in the Houston area. Doctors at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital say they are treating at least two patients a day for it.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is an illness that causes sores in or on the mouth and on the hands, feet, and sometimes the buttocks and legs. The sores may be painful. The illness usually doesn't last more than a week or so.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is common in children but can also occur in adults. It can occur at any time of year but is most common in the summer and fall.

Doctors say here in the Texas, because of our hot climate, the disease is around all year long. They also say the influx of cases may be due to children attending summer camps or integrating into new daycare centers.

The city of Houston says they don't have statistics on the number of children sickened by the virus because it is not, by law, a reportable disease for Houston and Harris County.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises you can lower your risk of being infected by washing your hands often with soap and water, disinfecting dirty surfaces and soiled items and avoiding close contact such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with infected persons.