Post by Admin on Sept 11, 2015 13:38:28 GMT 8
HAND, FOOT, AND MOUTH DISEASE : IT'S CONTAGIOUS
By Dr Willie Ong
There is a contagious and common viral infection in children called hand, foot, and mouth disease or HFMD. This disease spreads quickly among children 10 years and below.
Young children are most susceptible to the disease because kids frequently put their hands in their mouths.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by a virus, usually the coxsackievirus (occasionally caused by an enterovirus).
The child may experience signs and symptoms of fever, sore throat, weakness and loss of appetite. The name of the disease comes from the characteristic blisters inside the mouth (tongue, gums and inside the cheeks), and a red rash on the palms and soles.
When a child gets infected by the virus, there is a waiting time (incubation period) of 3 to 6 days before the fever sets in. After developing fever, lesions begin to appear first in the mouth area, then in the hands and feet.
It’s Contagious:
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a public health concern because outbreaks have been reported in schools and communities.
Entry of the virus through the mouth is the most common route of infection. The virus is present in saliva, nose and throat secretions (coughing and sneezing), and feces. A child gets infected by touching and being in close contact with an infected person.
Household objects and toys (such as children’s playground, and play balls) are known to harbor these microbes and children could get infected by playing with these toys.
What makes HFMD more problematic is that the child can remain contagious to others several weeks after recovery from the illness.
Treatment for HFMD:
Fortunately, HFMD is often a mild and self-limiting disease. However, there are rare cases of serious complications such as brain infection (meningitis) and brain inflammation (encephalitis).
There is no specific medicine to treat HFMD. Doctors just recommend supportive treatment to strengthen the body to fight off the disease. Patients usually get well in 7 to 10 days.
Dehydration is the main concern for these young kids since the painful mouth sores makes it difficult for the child to eat normally. Parents should monitor their child’s fluid and food intake to make sure the child doesn’t get dehydrated.
If the child refuses to eat, becomes weak or lethargic, then the child should be admitted in a hospital and given intravenous fluids.
Home Remedies:
1. Paracetamol syrup, in the appropriate dosage for kids, may be given for children with high fever.
2. Encourage the child to drink lots of fluids.
3. Water and milk may be more acceptable to the child since acidic juices may be painful to the mouth lesions. Ice cream, yogurt and ice chips may be given too.
4. Give soft and easily digestible foods such as congee, rice and oatmeal.
5. Avoid salty, sour and spicy foods that can irritate the mouth sores.
6. After eating, let the child rinse the mouth with warm water. A salt and water solution may be used for rinsing to soothe the painful blisters.
7. Let the child rest and sleep as long as she likes.
Prevention Tips:
1. Wash the child’s hands carefully. Teach children to wash regularly with soap and water.
2. Tell the child not to put toys and other objects in the mouth. Teach the child the importance of hygiene.
3. Isolate the sick patient. Don’t let the child go to school. Don’t bring the child to a mall, playground or theatre to avoid infecting others.
4. Children’s playground, both outdoors and indoors, are known to harbor many microbes. Play stations, slides and colorful play balls, seen in malls and fast-food chains, may not be safe for your child. If the owner does not regularly disinfect these playground materials, then the children can get infected with various infectious diseases including HFMD.
5. Disinfect household items and toys touched by the child. You may use soap and water or a diluted solution of chlorine bleach and water to clean these surfaces.
6. When on the road, keep a hand sanitizer or 70% rubbing alcohol handy. Remember that clean hands and disease prevention are better than cure.
By Dr Willie Ong
There is a contagious and common viral infection in children called hand, foot, and mouth disease or HFMD. This disease spreads quickly among children 10 years and below.
Young children are most susceptible to the disease because kids frequently put their hands in their mouths.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by a virus, usually the coxsackievirus (occasionally caused by an enterovirus).
The child may experience signs and symptoms of fever, sore throat, weakness and loss of appetite. The name of the disease comes from the characteristic blisters inside the mouth (tongue, gums and inside the cheeks), and a red rash on the palms and soles.
When a child gets infected by the virus, there is a waiting time (incubation period) of 3 to 6 days before the fever sets in. After developing fever, lesions begin to appear first in the mouth area, then in the hands and feet.
It’s Contagious:
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a public health concern because outbreaks have been reported in schools and communities.
Entry of the virus through the mouth is the most common route of infection. The virus is present in saliva, nose and throat secretions (coughing and sneezing), and feces. A child gets infected by touching and being in close contact with an infected person.
Household objects and toys (such as children’s playground, and play balls) are known to harbor these microbes and children could get infected by playing with these toys.
What makes HFMD more problematic is that the child can remain contagious to others several weeks after recovery from the illness.
Treatment for HFMD:
Fortunately, HFMD is often a mild and self-limiting disease. However, there are rare cases of serious complications such as brain infection (meningitis) and brain inflammation (encephalitis).
There is no specific medicine to treat HFMD. Doctors just recommend supportive treatment to strengthen the body to fight off the disease. Patients usually get well in 7 to 10 days.
Dehydration is the main concern for these young kids since the painful mouth sores makes it difficult for the child to eat normally. Parents should monitor their child’s fluid and food intake to make sure the child doesn’t get dehydrated.
If the child refuses to eat, becomes weak or lethargic, then the child should be admitted in a hospital and given intravenous fluids.
Home Remedies:
1. Paracetamol syrup, in the appropriate dosage for kids, may be given for children with high fever.
2. Encourage the child to drink lots of fluids.
3. Water and milk may be more acceptable to the child since acidic juices may be painful to the mouth lesions. Ice cream, yogurt and ice chips may be given too.
4. Give soft and easily digestible foods such as congee, rice and oatmeal.
5. Avoid salty, sour and spicy foods that can irritate the mouth sores.
6. After eating, let the child rinse the mouth with warm water. A salt and water solution may be used for rinsing to soothe the painful blisters.
7. Let the child rest and sleep as long as she likes.
Prevention Tips:
1. Wash the child’s hands carefully. Teach children to wash regularly with soap and water.
2. Tell the child not to put toys and other objects in the mouth. Teach the child the importance of hygiene.
3. Isolate the sick patient. Don’t let the child go to school. Don’t bring the child to a mall, playground or theatre to avoid infecting others.
4. Children’s playground, both outdoors and indoors, are known to harbor many microbes. Play stations, slides and colorful play balls, seen in malls and fast-food chains, may not be safe for your child. If the owner does not regularly disinfect these playground materials, then the children can get infected with various infectious diseases including HFMD.
5. Disinfect household items and toys touched by the child. You may use soap and water or a diluted solution of chlorine bleach and water to clean these surfaces.
6. When on the road, keep a hand sanitizer or 70% rubbing alcohol handy. Remember that clean hands and disease prevention are better than cure.