Hand foot and mouth disease, an epidemic in young children. Know it first…it can be prevented
Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by infection with the Human enteroviruses group. The most common virus in this group is Coxsackieviruses. It is a disease that is often found to spread during the rainy season, when the weather is cold and humid. The most common risk group is infants and young children under 5 years old.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is transmitted through direct contact with nasal discharge, saliva, feces, fluid from blisters or wounds of an infected person, or indirectly through contact with toys, caregivers’ hands, contaminated water and food.
Transmission is most likely to occur during the first week of illness. When large amounts of germs are released.
The incubation period is usually about 3-6 days.
Common symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease
Patients usually have fever, mouth soreness, drooling, sores in the mouth or throat, a rash with blisters or red bumps on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or around the anus. Sometimes there may be a rash on the trunk, arms and legs. There may also be ยูฟ่าเบท vomiting and watery diarrhea. Most patients do not have severe symptoms and can recover on their own. The fever usually goes away in 2-3 days and the rash gradually improves in 7-10 days. A small number of patients have severe symptoms, occurring in about 0.05%-1%. Severe symptoms are usually caused by Enterovirus 71.
Major complications include:
- Central nervous system, such as meningitis, encephalitis, acute limb weakness, etc.
- Respiratory and circulatory systems, such as acute pulmonary edema, acute heart failure, etc.
If the patient has the following symptoms, they should return to see a doctor immediately.
- High fever, especially more than 39°C and lasting more than 48 hours.
- Restless, always crying and disturbing
- Frequent vomiting, inability to eat or eating very little
- Neurological symptoms include lethargy, abnormal eye movement, muscle twitching, seizures, unconsciousness, severe headache, and weakness in the limbs.
- Pale pattern
- Shortness of breath
Tips for caring for children with hand, foot and mouth disease at home
- Isolate sick children and keep them at home/away from school. Avoid taking sick children to public places until the rash or bumps dry up, approximately 7-10 days.
- Wipe the body and give fever-reducing medication and other medicines as recommended by the doctor.
- Give soft, easily digestible food that is not too spicy and can eat cold foods such as ice cream. Keep separate containers for drinking water and eating food.
- Use a cloth/tissue to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Be careful when disposing of tissues and disposable diapers in a trash can with a tight lid.
- Wash hands with soap every time after touching a sick person and wash hands frequently. Clean toys that may have been put in the mouth or come into contact with secretions with soap or detergent and then let them air dry.
- Come for a check-up as scheduled by the doctor. If symptoms worsen, you should return to see the doctor before the scheduled time.