It’s no secret to pediatricians at The University of Kansas Health System that back-to-school time means more sick kids, as they tend to spread diseases in the classroom or day care. Dr. Steve Lauer says he and his colleagues have seen an uptick in hand, foot and mouth disease, a virus that causes a fever and sores on the mouth, hands, feet and sometimes legs.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is often confused with foot-and-mouth disease (also called hoof-and-mouth disease), which affects cattle, sheep, and swine. However, the two diseases are caused by different viruses and are not related. Humans do not get the animal disease, and animals do not get the human disease.

            In the video, Dr. Lauer describes what hand, foot, and mouth disease is, how common it is and who’s most likely to catch it. He explains what causes it and the symptoms parents should look for. He also talks about how to treat your child if they catch the disease, and ways homes, schools and daycares can prevent it.

            The video also contains b-roll of an unidentifiable child with the disease.