A 3-year-old child presents with fever and painful oral ulcers involving the tongue and buccal mucosa, along with vesicles on the palms, soles, and buttocks. Two classmates have similar lesions. Which virus most commonly causes this condition, and which related agent is most associated with severe neurological disease?

• A Coxsackievirus A16, enterovirus 71 ✓
• B Herpes simplex virus type 1, varicella-zoster virus
• C Echovirus 11, parechovirus
• D Human herpesvirus 7, adenovirus

Explanation

Hand foot and mouth disease presents with oral vesicular lesions plus exanthem on hands, feet, and buttocks in young children. Coxsackievirus B16 is the most common cause worldwide, while enterovirus 71 causes the same syndrome but carries a much higher risk of severe neurologic disease including brainstem encephalitis and poliomyelitis-like paralysis. HSV causes gingivostomatitis without limb exanthem.

Reference: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 21st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.