According to the Knox County Health Department, children in several local school districts and daycare centers as well as some adults have recently experienced hand, foot, and mouth disease, a common illness caused by several viruses that appears most often between spring and fall.

“Unfortunately, there’s no vaccine to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease,” said Lorraine Bratton, RN, director of nursing for the health department. “Despite the miserable conditions, the disease is seldom serious and usually runs its course in a week or so, but the conditions can be uncomfortable, especially for young children and the people who take care of them.” (click to read more)