Parents’ fears of hand, foot and mouth disease outbreaks in schools should be allayed by the festive break that will tame the disease, according to paediatrician Victor Grech.

“things will fizzle out over the holidays,” Prof. Grech said about the self-limiting disease, which has a typically mild course and stands apart from the foot-and-mouth disease of cattle, sheep and swine caused by a different virus.

Charmaine Gauci, director of disease prevention in the Health Department, said it had fewer than 10 cases reported in Gozo and Malta. This, Dr Gauci said, was normal for this time of year and the situation was expected to improve with the holidays, when children were away from school thus limiting the extent of spread of the infection.

Prof. Grech said, although paediatricians had seen children with the disease, this was “normal” and he wanted to alleviate parents’ concerns about the infection.

HFMD is a very contagious viral disease that affects small children and infants. Contrary to its potency to spread, it was not a serious disease and nearly all patients recovered within a week without medical intervention, Prof. Grech emphasised.

It usually caused small epidemics in nursery schools and kindergartens, usually in the summer and autumn months, he said.

Very occasionally, the disease could go unnoticed, with infected people only being carriers of the infection, he explained. Usually, HFMD began with fever, loss of appetite, feeling generally unwell and a sore throat. Diarrhoea and vomiting could also occasionally accompany such symptoms. some 48 hours later, painful ulcers developed, starting as red spots then blistering and ulcerating on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks. a non-itchy rash, whose red spots could sometimes blister, developed on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and even on the buttocks, Prof. Grech explained.

Uncommonly, finger and toe nails could be lost in children within a month of contracting the disease.

Very rarely, viral meningitis could occur with HFMD, which was usually mild and did not need specific treatment. even more rarely, a polio-like paralysis or encephalitis could occur, the latter of which could be fatal, Prof. Grech said.

Infection spread from person to person through direct contact with the live virus found in nose and throat secretions, saliva, blister fluid and stools of infectious individuals.

People were most contagious in the first week of the illness and could remain carriers for several weeks after all symptoms had subsided, he said, pointing out that pet to person spread was not possible.

Dr Gauci stressed the importance of proper hygiene such as hand washing and avoiding close contact with infected individuals. She emphasised the importance of not attending school while still sick.

Prof. Grech said no vaccine was available for the disease and there was no specific treatment for it, except for symptomatic care through, for example pain killers for mouth ulcers.

“It is truly no big deal. Children should just keep away from school while contagious to limit the spread,” Prof .Grech said.

Hand- foot-and-mouth disease is only a human disease, and should not be confused by foot and mouth disease that affects cattle, sheep and swine.  The diseases are not related.  Humans do not get the animal disease, and animals do not get the human disease.

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a viral disease that affect mostly children and young adults.  It is most prevalent during summer and fall.

Early symptoms of this condition vary, but generally include a sore throat and mouth, a loss of appetite, and a fever.  in a few days, a rash appears in the mouth, on the fingers,  the hands and the feet.  It may also occur on the buttocks and genitals.  Blisters develop on the rash as well as around the mouth and tongue.  The mouth area will feel sore and irritated.

The best treatment for hand-foot-and-mouth disease involve treating the symptoms as there is no known cure.  Make sure the child is well hydrated.  Cold drinks or frozen treats may help relieve the soreness in the mouth.  A topical lotion such as calamine lotion may be used on the hands and feet to relieve itching.  to reduce the fever and pain, give acetaminophen.  Remember that no-one under twenty years of age should be given Aspirin. Bland food will be most acceptable.

Because the hand-foot-and-mouth disease virus spreads easily, it is better to keep children isolated until all symptoms disappear or even longer if you physician advises.  The virus is spread through contact with infected saliva, mucous, and stools, as well as from infected surfaces and the discharge fro the blisters.   The best prevention against the disease is to carefully wash the hands after any possible contact with the virus or with an infected person.

Complications connected to hand-foot-and-mouth disease are rare, but if all symptoms have not disappeared in one week, or seem to be worsening, see your physician immediately.VN:F [1.9.3_1094]VN:F [1.9.3_1094]Understanding Hand-Foot-And-Mouth Disease, 10.0 out of 10 based on 1 rating Spin The Wheel! View A Random InfoNugget…