Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease is a highly contagious infection characterized by sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet. It is caused most commonly by the coxsackievirus. It can be painful, but it isn’t serious. Anyone can have the disease, but children under age 5 are most likely to get it. It tends to spread easily in the summer and fall. The symptoms begin to develop three to seven days after the initial infection. This period is known as the incubation period. When symptoms appear, they may include: a fever, poor appetite, sore throat, headache, irritability, painful red blisters in the mouth, and/or red rash on the hands and the soles of the feet. A fever and sore throat are usually the first symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease. The characteristic blisters and rashes show up usually one or two days after the fever begins. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com, for your peace of mind.

Food poisoning, also called foodborne illness, is a sickness caused by eating contaminated food. Food poisoning symptoms may range from mild to severe and may differ depending on the bacteria, virus, or parasite that was swallowed. The length of time it takes for symptoms to appear also depends on the source of the infection, but it can range from as little as 1 hour to as long as 28 days. The most common symptoms of food poisoning are an upset stomach, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Symptoms of potentially life-threatening food poisoning include: diarrhea persisting for more than three days; a fever higher than 101.5°F; difficulty seeing or speaking; symptoms of severe dehydration, which may include dry mouth, passing little to no urine, and difficulty keeping fluids down; and finally, bloody urine. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com, for your peace of mind.