Things to know about hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD)
Hand, foot, and mouth disease, or HFMD, is a contagious illness caused by different viruses. Infants and children younger than 5 years are more likely to get this disease. However, older children and adults can also get it.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease usually starts with a fever, poor appetite, a vague feeling of being unwell, and sore throat. One or 2 days after fever starts, painful sores usually develop in the mouth. They begin as small red spots and that often become ulcers. The sores are often in the back of the mouth. A skin rash develops over 1 to 2 days. The rash is usually on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet; it may also appear on the knees, elbows, buttocks or genital area. Persons infected with the viruses that cause hand, foot, and mouth disease may not get all the symptoms of the disease. They may only get mouth sores or skin rash.
DO REMEMBER:
• Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a viral infection.
• Hand, foot, and mouth disease produce a characteristic rash on the hands and feet and blisters in the mouth.
• Hand, foot, and mouth disease often occurs in the summer .
• Hand, foot, and mouth diseases are common in children, particularly preschoolers.(can occur in older children & adults)
• Hand, foot, and mouth disease usually is mild and over within a week. Treatment is directed toward the relief of symptoms (fever and sore throat).
• HFMD is highly contagious.
The viruses that cause hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) can be found in an infected person’s:
• nose and throat secretions (such as saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus),
· blister fluid,
· feces (stool).
Diagnosis
Depending on how severe the symptoms are, samples from the throat or stool may be collected and sent to a laboratory to test for the virus. Testing facility is available at Department of Virology, PGIMER.
Infection control-
• Proper hygiene including mandatory hand washing after contact with patient
• Personal items such as spoons, cups and utensils should not be shared and should be properly washed with detergent after use
• Articles such as toys contaminated by infected cases are disinfected
• Patients with HFMD should be isolated and the usual isolation procedures followed for infection control.
Prevention
There is no vaccine to protect against the viruses that cause hand, foot, and mouth disease. There is no specific treatment for hand, foot and mouth disease. However, symptomatic treatment can be given.
A person can lower their risk of being infected by
• Washing hands often with soap and water, especially after changing diapers and using the toilet.
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and soiled items, including toys.
• Avoiding close contact such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with people with hand, foot, and mouth disease.
• Sharing of Clothes, towels etc by the siblings should be avoided.
