PARENTS have been warned to keep an eye out for a potentially fatal disease that's cropping up in daycares across the US.
The sickness mainly affects children under five and can have some terrifying symptoms.
Public health officials have announced that hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) has been detected in daycares.
Earlier this year, there were six outbreaks in Virginia, according to an alert published by the Fairfax County Health District.
And a massive 189 cases have been confirmed in St Thomas, including one possible infection that proved fatal, the US Virgin Islands Department of Health said.
The disease isn't just affecting children either.
Though it's more dangerous in young kids, more cases have been seen in adults, which have left patients with rashes and nail loss, medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel told Fox News.
HFMD cases peak in the summer, so parents should know what to look for, especially if their children are surrounded by other toddlers.
Most kids who catch the disease develop a fever, sore throat, painful mouth sores that blister, and a rash on the hands and feet, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The illness is usually harmless, and most children will recover from mild symptoms after seven to ten days.
However, it is highly contagious.
Other kids can get HFMD from droplets that spread from sneezing, coughing, or talking, or from surfaces that have the virus on them.
Fluid from blisters and poop can also carry the nasty sickness.
PREVENTING INFECTION
To prevent children from catching HFMD, parents should try their best to keep their kids away from anyone who is infected.
It's important to wash hands often, especially after using the restroom, sneezing, or changing a diaper.
If a kid has blisters, parents should help keep them clean and wash their child's face.
Caregivers should also try not to hug or kiss children who are infected.
People suffering from HFMD should be kept at home and take over-the-counter pain medications.
Because they might have sores in their mouths, it's important to try and force children to drink water so they aren't dehydrated.
There aren't any vaccines to prevent against HFMD.
One health expert said that a commonly used item can transfer HFMD.
Meanwhile, a teenager was left fighting for his life after being bitten by a spider.
And a woman died after getting licked by her granddaughter's dog.
