Statewide Iowa — (RI) — The Iowa Department of Public health says a mild but highly contagious viral disease has been widespread in the state this summer.
D-P-H Medical Director Caitlin Pedati says the heat may be contributing the high number hand-foot-and-mouth disease cases. The symptoms include a sore throat and a miserable rash.
Doctor Pedati says while hand-foot-and-mouth disease makes kids feel miserable, they rarely need to go to the hospital.
The disease is contagious so Pedati says it’s important that those who have it stay home for several weeks after the symptoms are gone.
While Pedati says anecdotally there are more cases than usual this time of year, the department doesn’t count incidences of hand-foot and mouth disease.
