It's infected 25,000 people in China, and now, some parents say there are cases here in Bowling Green.

Symptoms for hand, foot, and mouth disease usually start with fever or sore throat with blisters on the hands, feet, and mouth coming later.

Barren River Health Department officials say the virus is most common in children under 10, though adults can also get this contagious disease.

Liz Fogle is a singer, a server, and an all around entertainer. Lately, something's been getting in the way of her jobs.

"I woke up Monday morning and I was getting spots all over my hands," Liz explains. "I went to the doctor and they said, ‘you have hand, foot, and mouth disease’."

It's news that came after a scare. Last week, Liz's 11-week-old daughter, Lillie, had a temperature of 102.

"They did tests on her," says Liz. "They did blood work and a chest X-ray and that's not something any parent wants to go through when your child is that age. When I showed up with hand, foot, and mouth, they said there is a very good chance that is what she had."

"The virus leaves the stool of the infected person and enters another person with hands, food, or items, such as toys that have that germ on them and someone puts their fingers in their mouth," says Barren River Health Department Nurse Ruby Baker. "It is contagious and it's very important that hand washing is stressed using warm water or soap. It's very important when someone coughs or sneezes that they cover their nose or mouth with a tissue."

Today, Liz and Lillie are feeling much better.

"I ended up having to send her to my parents' house for two days," Liz continued. "We disinfected the house and just got things clean and just brought her back to us and we're all on the mend."

That means Liz is back to work playing mom.

"Just let the virus run its course and hope and pray it goes away soon," Liz laughs.

Nurse Baker adds that if an infected person is feeling the fever, they should stay home from work or school. Once the fever fades, that person is no longer contagious, even if the rashes on the hands and feet are still visible.