Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is prevalent all year in Singapore, and seasonal outbreaks often happen in childcare centers, kindergartens, and schools. HFMD may affect anybody, but children under the age of five are more prone to contract it. It spreads quickly throughout the summer and fall. Its consequences mainly involve the heart and neurological system such as encephalitis and can be deadly.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness that causes painful red blisters in the mouth and throat and on the hands, and feet. The enterovirus, commonly the coxsackievirus, is responsible for the majority of HFMD infections which are most frequently in children.
Viruses from the Enterovirus family cause hand, foot, and mouth disease. The following are some of the most common causes of HFMD:
These viruses can spread in various ways. Contact with an infected person is a cause that makes people get HFMD. The stool of an infected individual is broken up by fluid from blisters on the patient’s body so people can get HFMD through it. Additionally, the virus also is in an infected person’s saliva or nasopharyngeal secretions when they cough or sneeze. Furthermore, the disease can be transferred indirectly through exchanging things, touching surfaces that infected people contact, such as doorknobs, table tops, chairs…
Symptoms appear 3 to 6 days after contracting the virus. This is referred to as the incubation period. HFMD symptoms include:
The earliest signs of HFMD are generally a fever and a sore throat. Children frequently develop a fever and other flu-like symptoms 3 to 5 days after contracting the virus.
Children might get severe mouth sores. These sores often begin as little red patches, frequently on the tongue and insides of the mouth, that blister and become painful. When your kids suffer from this symptom, they may neither eat nor drink, have more drooling than normal, and only want to consume cold liquids.
Children may develop a skin rash on the palms of their hands and the soles of their feet. They can also appear on the buttocks, legs, and arms. The rash generally appears as flat red patches. Check the palms of the hands and the bottoms of the feet may be more visible.
The rash is typically not irritating and appears as flat or slightly elevated red patches, occasionally with blisters with a red region at their base. The patches develop into blisters that are grey or lighter in color than the surrounding skin and can be painful. The virus that causes hand, foot, and mouth disease may be found in the blister fluid and the following scab develops when the blister heals. To prevent blisters from spreading, try to avoid touching them and keep them clean.
A physical exam can often be used to diagnose HFMD. They will examine your mouth and body for blisters and rashes. The doctor will also inquire about any additional symptoms you or your kid may be experiencing.
To test for the virus, the doctor may take a throat swab or a stool sample. They will be able to confirm the diagnosis as a result of this.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease symptoms are often mild. Most people recover in a week or two with only a little at-home care. Your doctor may advise you to take the following:
The hand, foot, and mouth disease virus is highly infectious. The illness frequently spreads before the individual recognizes they are ill. You can reduce or limit the spread of the sickness by following these excellent hygiene practices:
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