According to the Department of Health (DOH), the number of cases of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) has increased three times since 2014. In the last quarter of 2015, there have 563 confirmed cases to date compared to the 180 cases reported last year.
Though HFMD is usually not fatal, the rashes and mouth sores bring great discomfort to children who contract it.
Definition
HFMD is a contagious viral infection common in infants and children under the age of five. It is characterized by rashes in the hand and feet and painful mouth sores.
Signs and Symptoms of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease
The first signs of HFMD usually involve:
- Fever
- Reduced appetite
- Sore throat
- Feeling of being unwell
These symptoms are then followed by:
- Painful ulcers in the mouth, throat and tongue
- Rash or small blisters on the palms of hands, soles of feet or buttocks
- Bouts of vomiting and diarrhea
However, these symptoms may not apply for everyone. Some people may show no symptoms at all, but it is still possible to pass on the virus to others.
Causes and Transmission
HFMD is commonly caused by Coxsackievirus, which part of the Enterovirus group.
Coxsackievirus can spread through direct contact with nose and throat discharge, saliva, fluid from blisters and the stool of infected persons.
Risk Factors
The disease is common in kids who attend school or play centers. Being in close quarters with other children–where common areas and items are shared and not always cleaned immediately–means viruses can be easily spread.
As children age, they usually build an immunity to Hand Foot and Mouth Disease thanks to developing antibodies. However, it is still probable for older kids and adults to contract the disease
- Dehydration is the most common complication of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease. The painful mouth and throat sores, that make swallowing a painful activity, can cause a child to refuse both eating and drinking. Thus, it is crucial to monitor a child’s liquid intake. As a preventative measure, talk to your pediatrician on how to avoid dehydration and what to do in case you suspect it.
- Viral meningitis* causes the membranes and cerebrospinal fluids around the spine and brain to be inflamed. This leads to back pain, stiff neck, headache. The infected child may need to be hospitalized.
- Encephalitis* is the inflammation of the brain caused by a viral infection. It may be life-threatening.
- Nail loss for both fingers and toes, though temporary, has been reported. However, it is yet to be proven whether the disease, in fact, causes this.
*Note: Both rarely occur when a child has Hand Foot and Mouth Disease.
Continue reading to find out when to call the doctor if you detect your child has Hand Foot and Mouth Disease
When to Call the Doctor
When the child…
- Becomes extremely irritable
- Refuses to eat and drink
- Is sluggish
- Seems to get worse
- Looks dehydrated (dehydration symptoms: little to no tears when crying; decreased frequency of urination or dark, yellow urine; irritability; lethargy; dry, sticky mouth; dry, cool skin; fatigue in older children; sunken eyes; soft spot or fontanelle looks sunken for babies)
Tests and Diagnosis
Doctors are usually able to distinguish mouth sores caused by Hand Foot and Mouth Disease by considering the following: age of the infected child, symptoms and the appearance of the sores and/or rashes.
The doctor may also get a throat swab and request for stool sample to be sent to the laboratory to confirm the presence of the virus.
Continue reading for treatments and drugs, lifestyle remedies and preventive methods for Hand Foot Mouth Disease
Treatments and Drugs
There are no treatments for Hand Foot and Mouth Disease. There are, however, ways to alleviate the discomfort felt by the child:
- Over the counter medications for pain and fever relief. Do not give children aspirin as it may lead to the development of a rare illness called Reye syndrome, a condition that causes the brain and liver to swell. The syndrome is usually common in children recovering from viral infection.
- Mouthwash or sprays that numb pain in mouth and throat.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Aside from medication, there are other things that you can do at home:
- To numb pain from the mouth and throat, give cold treats such as ice cream, popsicles, sherbet, shakes, especially to children who find it difficult to swallow. The child can also suck on ice chips.
- Keep the areas with blisters clean. Wash them using lukewarm water and soap. Pat them dry gently with a towel. For blisters that pop, apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with bandage to prevent infection.
- Keep the child hydrated by offering cold water or milk. Do not offer acidic drinks such as soda and fruit drinks.
- Offer the child soft food that don’t require much chewing such as lugaw, arroz caldo, chicken soup or Jell-o. Avoid giving spicy and salty food that can make the sores sting.
- Have the child rinse his mouth with warm water after meals. If he is old enough to rinse without swallowing, put some salt into the rinse to help reduce inflammation of sores.
Continue reading for information on preventing Hand Foot and Mouth Disease
Prevention
Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for Hand Foot and Mouth Disease. However, there are simple things that the whole family, school or daycare center can do to prevent the contraction and spreading of the disease:
- Wash hands frequently with water and soap, especially after coming from the bathroom, changing diapers and before and after handling food. If water and soap is unavailable, use alcohol or hand sanitizers.
- Clean and disinfect common areas or shared items (toys, for example) to prevent the spread of the disease as some viruses can live in areas or items after a few days.
- Teach proper hygiene. Explain why kids should keep themselves clean frequently and why they should avoid putting their fingers or other objects in their mouth.
- Stay away from others infected with HFMD. Avoid using their utensils or drinking glasses as well.
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