ADVISORY Re: HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

Some cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) have been reported in the last few days.

It is a common, self- limiting but highly contagious viral disease that usually affects infants and children, less than 5 years old. Sometimes even older children and adults may be affected. It is caused by Enterovirus Genus, most commonly, strains of the Coxsackievirus

Mode of Transmission

- By skin to skin contact (handshake or hugs).

- By airborne respiratory droplets (cough or sneeze)

- By saliva ( kissing or shared drinks)

Signs and Symptoms

- Fever

- Sore throat

- Malaise and loss of appetite

- Red blister like lesions around or inside the mouth, on the palms, soles, hands, feet and sometimes the buttocks.

Treatment

The virus usually clears up on its own within 10 days. Only symptomatic treatment such as Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen is suggested for fever and discomfort.

Prevention and Control

- Wash your own and the childs hands frequently with soap and water.

- Avoid sharing cups, towels and utensils and disinfect your premises and all infected materials such as cups, towels, utensils.

- Avoid close contact such as hugging and kissing a child who is infected.

- Disinfecting classroom surfaces that people frequently touch

- Teachers and parents should check for symptoms of HFMD to prevent its spread. Parents must inform the class teacher if the child is diagnosed with the ailment. It is important for the school to know so that staff and other parents can be cautioned to watch for symptoms.

- Parents must refrain from sending the child to school until the rash has healed completely and no fever has returned for at least last 24 hours (at least 7-10 days from the onset of symptoms).

- Any child with rash should avail a medical prescription from the consulting doctor stating that he/she is not contagious or infectious before re-joining class.