SHARES
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral infection most commonly caused by enterovirus 71 and coxsackie virus A16. People of all age groups can contract HFMD. Nevertheless, children younger than five years old are most susceptible. With the contagious nature of the disease, understanding HFMD becomes crucial.
How does HFMD spread?
The infected person carries the causative virus in the nose and throat. The virus can also be detected in blister fluid and faeces. An infected person is most contagious during the first week of the illness. The virus can spread easily through close contact. Besides that, inhaling droplets produced through coughing or sneezing, or having contact with blister fluid or faeces, also exposes other individuals to the virus. Other activities that can spread the virus include sharing of personal items or touching contaminated surfaces or objects.
What are the signs and symptoms of HFMD?
The disease starts with fever, feeling sick with poor appetite. Painful ulcers may develop in the mouth. Rashes or small blisters may be observed on palms, sole or buttocks. This skin rash is usually not itchy.
The disease can manifest differently among individuals. Although some develop the typical signs and symptoms, others may only experience skin rash or mouth ulcers, or no symptoms at all.
How to manage HFMD?
The disease is managed according to the symptoms upon confirmation of HFMD through physical examination by the doctor. No medications are available to kill the virus. However, fever medications and pain killers will be prescribed to relief fever and pain, respectively. Adequate fluid should also be given to avoid dehydration. Additionally, bed rest is recommended for 7-10 days, or until infection is resolved.
The disease is usually mild. Regardless, HFMD can sometimes lead to severe infection when it affects the heart or the brain. Some symptoms of severe infection include:
- Headache, giddiness or stiffness of the neck
- Irritability, drowsiness or disorientation
- Fits or abnormal jerky movements
- Fast breathing or turning blue
- Lethargy
If symptoms indicating severe infection are observed, admit the child to the hospital immediately.
How to prevent HFMD?
Currently, there is no vaccine available for HFMD. Hence, practising preventive measures becomes imperative to reduce the risk of getting the disease.
Firstly, HFMD can be evaded by avoiding close contact with an infected person. If close contact is inevitable, frequent handwashing and avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth after contact are recommended. Also, avoid sharing personal items with others. Frequent cleaning and disinfection of the areas touched by an infected person might be helpful too.
How to protect others from HFMD?
If your child has HFMD, inform the authorities of the group settings that your child attends. For example, kindergartens, schools or tuition centres. Keep your child away from these settings until the infection is resolved to avoid spreading the disease. Remind your child to not share eating utensils and personal items with others. Disinfect toys and appliances contaminated by nasal or oral secretions as well.
When your child appears to have recovered from the infection, conduct “four checks” before your child returns to school. The “four checks” includes checking for:
- Fever.
- Blisters on hands and arms.
- Mouth ulcers.
- Blisters on soles of feet, legs and or buttocks.
References
- Hand, foot and mouth disease (Ministry of Health, Singapore)
- Hand, foot and mouth disease (Ministry of Health, Malaysia)
If you would like to make an appointment with a general practitioner:
Find a general practitioner in Malaysia, on GetDoc
Find a general practitioner in Singapore, on GetDoc
by Joanne Lee
Multipotentialite. Loves creating and seeing ideas come alive. View all articles by Joanne Lee.
