Foot-and-mouth disease in humans is a rare infectious disease, caused by a virus of the genus Aphthovirus , which can arise when unpasteurized milk is consumed from contaminated animals. This disease is more common in rural regions and children, the elderly and individuals with low immunity are the most susceptible to infection.
Foot-and-mouth disease can be noticed through the appearance of lesions on the skin, in the mouth and between the fingers, in addition to high fever and muscle pain, for example.
Transmission occurs mainly through direct contact with the animal infected by the virus responsible for the disease, but it can also happen through ingestion of unpasteurized milk, consumption of meat from an infected animal and contact with secretions such as milk, semen, phlegm or sneezing can transmit foot-and-mouth disease to humans.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of foot-and-mouth disease in humans can appear up to 5 days after contact with the virus, the main ones being:
- Inflammation of the mouth; Canker sores, in the mouth; Sores on the skin and between the fingers; High fever; Muscle pain; Headache; Excessive thirst.
Symptoms of foot-and-mouth disease usually subside after 3 or 5 days. However, in more advanced cases, the infection can cause other problems and reach the throat and lungs, causing serious complications and even death.
The diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease is made through physical examination, evaluation of lesions in the mouth and blood test to detect the presence of infection.
Treatment of foot-and-mouth disease in humans
The treatment of foot-and-mouth disease in humans is not specific and is based on the use of pain relievers, such as Dipyrone, or corticosteroids, such as Prednisolone, in cases of severe inflammation of the throat or lungs.
Cleaning the skin wounds and mouth sores is very important to improve the lesions and accelerate their healing, drinking plenty of fluids and resting is important for the treatment of the disease. Learn more about the treatment for foot-and-mouth disease in humans.
How to prevent
The prevention of foot-and-mouth disease in humans is done by avoiding contact with infected animals, drinking unpasteurized milk and contaminated meat. If an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease is suspected in animals close to the individual's workplace or home, slaughtering the animals is recommended.
