What are potential complications of hand-foot-mouth disease?

Hand-foot-mouth disease, primarily caused by coxsackievirus, is generally a mild viral infection that commonly affects children. While the disease usually resolves without any severe complications, there are notable potential complications associated with it, which include aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, myopericarditis, and pneumonia.

Aseptic meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, typically not caused by bacteria. It is a potential complication when the virus spreads beyond its primary sites. Encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain, may also occur but is rarer. Myopericarditis involves inflammation of the heart muscle and surrounding pericardial tissue, which can impact cardiac function. Pneumonia is another serious complication, particularly in very young children or those with compromised immune systems.

These complications arise due to the ability of the coxsackievirus to affect multiple systems in the body beyond the initial oral and cutaneous manifestations. Recognizing these potential complications is crucial for monitoring and managing patients effectively, especially when symptoms extend beyond the typical clinical presentation of hand-foot-mouth disease.

The other options refer to complications that are not commonly associated with hand-foot-mouth disease in the context