Understanding Hand Foot Mouth diseases

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral infection common in young children. It is contagious and characterized by sores in the mouth and rashes on hands and feet. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is usually viruses that belong to the Enterovirus family, the common cause is coxsackievirus. There is no specific treatment for hand-foot-and-mouth disease.

Symptoms

Fever, sore throat, tired,poor appetite,blister like lesions on the mouth, tongue, hands, feet and nappy areas.

Who are at risk?

Anyone can get it. HFMD primarily affects children under the age of ten, mostly those under 5 years old.

How does HFMD transmit?

Through saliva, mucus from nose and fluid from blisters, through coughing, sneezing, close contacts like hugging, kissing sharing of utensils and cups, touching of surfaces of toys and other items which are covered with viruses.

Preventions

• Practise Good Personal Hygiene: Wash hands frequently with soap, under running water. Do not share food or utensils with others. Cover nose whenever sneezing or coughing and away from others. Use soaps and hand sanitisers that suit kids and environmental friendly.
• Avoid Exposure: Stay at home whenever necessary, avoid going to crowded places. Put on masks if really need to go out.
• Clean house and living areas from time to time, disinfect toys, surfaces of furniture, tools and appliances with disinfectants. Choose disinfectants which are kids’ and environmentally friendly.
• Be Alert and always on the lookout: Observe and monitor kids daily. Inform childcare, kindergarten or school, if children contracted Hand Foot Mouth Diseases so that other parents can monitor their kids and take additional precautious steps.

(Source: WebMD, Mayo Clinic& Numerous Kids Health)

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