HFMD is moderately contagious. The spread of the disease can occur through direct contact with nasal discharge, saliva, feces, and fluid from the blisters. It can also spread indirectly through contact with toys, books, eating utensils, towels, and other articles used by an infected individual. The infection is spread most easily when people are feeling ill and sores are present in the mouth, but the virus can be spread for several weeks after that.

There is no evidence to date that cats can spread H5N1 to humans. No cases of avian influenza in humans have been linked to exposure to sick cats, and no outbreaks among populations of cats have been reported. All of the influenza A (H5N1) infections in cats reported to date appear to have been associated with outbreaks in domestic or wild birds and acquired through ingestion of raw infected meat. See similar questions...

Usually not. HFMD caused by coxsackievirus A16 infection is a mild disease and nearly all patients recover without medical treatment in 7 to 10 days. Complications are uncommon. Rarely, the patient with coxsackievirus A16 infection may also develop "aseptic" or viral meningitis, in which the person has fever, headache, stiff neck, or back pain, and may need to be hospitalized for a few days. See similar questions...

There is no evidence that cats can spread the bird flu virus to humans. No cases of avian influenza in humans have been linked to exposure to sick cats, and no outbreaks among populations of cats have been reported. All of the bird flu infections in cats have been associated with outbreaks in domestic or wild birds and acquired through eating raw meat from an infected bird. See similar questions...

Taeniasis results from eating raw or undercooked pork or beef contaminated with the larval stage of the pork or beef tapeworm. The larvae from the infected meat develop in the human intestine into adult tapeworms. The proglottids of the tapeworm mature and become filled with eggs. Proglottids detach and eggs are then passed in the feces. The eggs can live in the environment for months or even years. Cattle and pigs become infected when they ingest vegetation containing the eggs. See similar questions...

Symptoms of fever, poor appetite, runny nose, and sore throat can appear three to five days after the person becomes infected. One or 2 days after the fever begins, the rash appears as blisters or ulcers in the mouth, on the inner cheeks, gums, sides of the tongue, and as bumps or blisters on the hands, feet, and, sometimes, other parts of the skin. The skin rash may last for 7 to 10 days. See similar questions...

Preventive measures include frequent handwashing, especially after diaper changes; disinfection of contaminated surfaces by household cleaners (such as diluted bleach solution made by mixing 1 capful of chlorine bleach with 1 gallon water); and, washing soiled articles of clothing. See similar questions...

Children are often excluded from childcare programs, schools, or other group settings during the first few days of the illness. See similar questions...

Usually, the physician can distinguish between HFMD and other causes of mouth sores based on the age of the patient, the pattern of symptoms, and the appearance of the rash and sores on examination. A throat swab or stool specimen may be sent to a laboratory to determine which virus caused the illness; however, these tests usually take 2 to 4 weeks to obtain a final answer, so the physician usually does not order them. See similar questions...

There is currently no effective treatment for the infection, and, in most cases, specific treatment is not necessary. The fever, rash, and ulcers should subside spontaneously in one week, and full recovery is usual. Treatment of symptoms is given to provide relief from fever, aches, or pain from the ulcers. Antiseptic mouth washes and simple analgesics such as paracetamol relieve the discomfort of eating. See similar questions...

The types of hantavirus that cause HPS in the United States cannot be transmitted from one person to another. See similar questions...

it's a way of getting attention, getting recognition from their peers and their names (or at least that of their virus) in the papers and the Wild List See similar questions...

Person to person transmission is extremely rare, however, precautions should be taken to prevent exposure to the saliva of the diseased person. See similar questions...

Jungle yellow fever is mainly a disease of monkeys. It is spread from infected mosquitoes to monkeys in the tropical rain forest. Jungle yellow fever is rare and occurs mostly in persons who work in tropical rain forests who are bitten by mosquitoes infected by monkeys. Urban yellow fever is a disease of humans and the cause of most yellow fever outbreaks. Aedes aegypti is the type of mosquito that usually carries yellow fever from human to human. See similar questions...

VRE is usually passed to others by direct contact with stool, urine or blood containing VRE. It can also be spread indirectly via the hands of healthcare providers or on contaminated environmental surfaces. VRE usually is not spread through casual contact such as touching or hugging. VRE is not spread through the air by coughing or sneezing. See similar questions...