Hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a mild viral infection affecting humans. It is not the same as the foot and mouth disease of cattle. It usually causes fever, painful sores in the mouth, and a rash on the hands and feet. Most infected people recover in a week or two. It is particularly common in infants and young children, and cases occur more frequently worldwide during the summer months and early autumn. Here in Anguilla an increased number of cases has been seen over the past couple of weeks mainly among primary school children.
HFMD usually begins with a mild fever and a runny nose. This is followed by a sore throat and the appearance of a blister-like rash in the mouth, and on the hands and feet, which gradually becomes ulcerated.
HFMD is very contagious and is spread when a person touches the mucous or saliva, or the faeces (stool) of an infected person. HFMD spreads from an infected person to others through close contact such as kissing, hugging, or sharing cups and eating utensils; coughing and sneezing; contact with faeces, for example when changing a diaper; contact with blister fluid; touching objects or surfaces that have the virus on them. People with HFMD are most contagious during the first week of their illness. However, they may sometimes remain contagious for weeks after symptoms go away. Some people, especially adults, may not develop any symptoms, but they can still spread the viruses to others.
There is no specific treatment for HFMD. Fever and pain can be managed with over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Remember that children should never be given aspirin. It is important for people with HFMD to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration (loss of body fluids).
HFMD is usually not serious. The illness is typically mild, and nearly all people recover in 7 to 10 days without medical treatment. Complications are uncommon. Rarely, an infected person can develop viral meningitis (characterized by fever, headache, stiff neck, lack of energy, sleepiness, or trouble waking up from sleep) and may need to be hospitalized for a few days.
There is no vaccine to protect against HFMD. However, you can reduce the risk of getting infected with the viruses that cause HFMD by following a few simple steps: wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers, and help young children do the same; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, and sharing cups and eating utensils with people who have HFMD; disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick. Children should be excluded from child care, schools or other group settings until the blisters have dried.
November 10th, 2016
– Press Release
