What is a common feature of hand, foot, and mouth disease?

A common feature of hand, foot, and mouth disease is the presence of painful, blister-like sores in the mouth. This viral illness, primarily caused by coxsackieviruses, often manifests with mouth sores that can be quite uncomfortable and may make eating or drinking difficult for affected individuals, especially in young children. These oral lesions are a hallmark sign of the disease, alongside other symptoms such as fever and a rash. The unhappy experience of mouth sores is often one of the first indications that a child may have this infection.

The oral sores are typically seen in conjunction with lesions that appear in other areas of the body, specifically on the hands and feet, which further confirms the diagnosis. While other options present symptoms that can be associated with various illnesses, none exemplify hand, foot, and mouth disease as clearly or specifically as the presence of the painful mouth sores.