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HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE
Hand, foot, and mouth disease has been going around at the day care centre that i have been sending my kids too. Its a common childhood illness that is a viral infection. The other medical term for this illness is commonly known
as Coxsackie A16 virus.
It typically effects the younger age group which is under 10 years old, but isn't to say that older children or adults cant get it. My MIL has just caught it from the daycare center because she does work there.
The common thing with this disease is that people think this is related to foot and mouth disease that accure in animals. It has nothing to do with it at all.
The symptoms generally start about 3-7 days after becoming infected with the virus. The first sign will be a mild fever, tiredness, score throat and reduced appetite. Mouth scores and skin rashes usually develop after the 2nd day of fever. Every case is different but thats about the norm.
The rash looks flat or raised red spots, which may form blisters, the rash isn't at all itchy and usually effects palms, sole of feet, feet and hands. For those children that still wear nappies they seem to get it on the buttocks as well.
The mouth score can become quite painful because they will turn into blisters and then often turn into ulcers.
This is easly caught from one to another which often become outbreaks in schools and child care centres.. They norm for this to accure is in the summer or early Autum but doesnt mean it cant happen at any other time of the year.
Saliva, secretions from their nose or throat (through coughing or sneezing), fluid from blisters, or faces.
The recovery time is usually 7-10 days.Rarely, a child with HFMD(Hand,Foot,Mouth Disease) may develop complications such as meningitis (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the brain). If your child or yourself develop stiff neck, back pain or major headaches, they suggest that you go and see a doctor asap.
There isnt really any special treatment for this disease but antibiotics are not given as it isnt effective. The treatment would be paracetamol and gargling or rinsing mouth with salt water or a mouth wash. This will relieve some of the pain in the mouth.
There is no vaccine available. Its best to return to school or general public when all blisters have completly dried.
(June 16th) (
