Earlier, the flu put many parents on high alert, and they overlooked another common childhood illness that had quietly crept in. Hand, foot, and mouth disease, which spreads mainly in summer and autumn, primarily affects toddlers and children. Sufferers may develop a fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, and a rash. Most cases recover on their own within one to two weeks. However, during this time, young children may refuse to eat due to discomfort in their mouths, cry, and have poor sleep, striking fear into parents' hearts. Today, let's hear from paediatrician Dr. Chan Yin-pui for an explanation.
One person infected, the whole class suffers.
Paediatrician Dr Chan Yin-pui points out that Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a common illness in children, usually caused by enteroviruses such as Coxsackievirus and enterovirus 71. In Hong Kong, the peak season for HFMD is generally from May to July, with another smaller peak appearing between October and December. What worries parents most is that the disease is highly contagious. If one student gets infected, the whole class may be infected, so precautions must be taken.
Why are young children more susceptible to infection?
Dr Chan pointed out that hand, foot and mouth disease is mainly spread through contact with a patient's nasal or throat secretions, saliva, ruptured blisters or faeces, or by touching contaminated objects. People of any age can contract hand, foot and mouth disease, but children often touch toys or their surroundings with their hands, and are also more likely to put their hands in their mouths, making them more susceptible to infection.
Early symptoms usually include fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, and sore throat. One to two days after the fever, painful blisters may appear in the mouth. These blisters initially look like small red spots and then form ulcers. The ulcers are typically located on the tongue, gums, and the inside of the cheeks. Additionally, red rashes, which are not itchy and sometimes accompanied by small blisters, may appear on the palms and soles of the feet, and even on the buttocks or genitals.
Mouth pain, reluctance to eat
Some children may become irritable, cry frequently, and refuse to drink water or eat due to mouth pain, which often causes parents distress and worry. Dr. Chan reminds us that the incubation period for the virus is about 3 to 7 days, with most patients experiencing mild symptoms and recovering on their own within 7 to 10 days. However, it's important to note that if children have a high fever, are tired, or have a sore throat, they may refuse to eat, leading to dehydration. Additionally, blisters in the mouth or ulcers on the skin can lead to secondary bacterial infections.
Dr. Chan stated, "The virus itself can cause serious complications, such as viral meningitis, encephalitis, and polio-like paralysis, and even death." Currently, there is no drug treatment for hand, foot, and mouth disease. Patients should drink plenty of fluids and get adequate rest. Medication can also be used to treat symptoms, relieving pain caused by fever and mouth ulcers.
Teach children about personal hygiene
As there is currently no vaccine that can effectively prevent Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), to prevent the disease, parents must teach children to maintain good personal hygiene, for example: keeping hands clean, washing hands with soap and water, rubbing hands for at least 20 seconds, rinsing with water and drying with a clean towel or paper towel. As alcohol cannot effectively kill some viruses that cause HFMD (for example, Enterovirus 71), alcohol-based hand sanitisers cannot entirely replace washing hands with soap and water. In addition, use serving chopsticks and spoons when dining, and do not share the same food or drinks with others. Do not share towels or other personal items with others. Avoid close contact with patients, such as kissing and hugging. When feeling unwell, one should not go to work or school and should seek medical attention.
Regarding oral pain, if the patient refuses to eat, parents should ensure adequate fluid intake. For young children, drinks such as milk, plain water, or fruit juice are acceptable. Avoid excessively hot drinks and food to prevent worsening sore throats. Ensure the child also gets plenty of rest and medication can be used to relieve symptoms if necessary. If the condition deteriorates, such as persistent high fever, lethargy, continuous crying, vomiting, or reduced urination, seek medical attention immediately.
Source: mamidaily (26 November 2023): https://bit.ly/46OvRcm
