Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease on the rise: How parents can protect their children

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease on the rise: What to know

There is an uptick in Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases in children in the United States, health officials say. Here's everything you need to know.

As the back-to-school season approaches, the American Academy of Pediatrics reports an uptick in hand-foot-and-mouth disease cases among young children, more than any other summer.

This highly contagious virus is a concern for parents, but there are steps they can take to keep their children safe.

What we know:

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is most common among young children and is characterized by a rash on the hands, feet, and painful ulcers in the mouth.

"It can go on for a couple of days before you start to develop a rash... that's why they call it hand-foot-and-mouth dis