What is hand foot and mouth disease?
Hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a fairly common viral infection.
As summer approaches, the season brings its own set of special health risks, including an increase in hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD).
Dr Kerrigan McCarthy, head of the outbreak response unit at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), said this week HFMD was a fairly common viral infection.
It mainly affected infants and children.
“HFMD is caused by a group of viruses known as enteroviruses and usually occurs in small outbreaks at crèches and daycare centres during summer and autumn months.”
McCarthy said children under the age of 10 years were at the greatest risk of infection, though adults with weak immune systems might also be prone to infection.
The virus was spread from person-to-person by direct contact or by droplets from the mouth or nose of an infected person.
It could also be conveyed through contaminated objects such as toys, stationery and faeces.
HFMD did not occur in animals and should not be confused with foot and mouth disease (also called hoof-and-mouth disease) affecting animals like sheep and cattle.
Symptoms of HFMD usually started three to seven days after being infected and lasted between seven to 10 days.
Common symptoms included a fever, a sore throat, tiredness, loss of appetite and small blisters on the inside of the mouth, sides of the tongue, palms of the hands and soles of the feet, said McCarthy.
“HFMD is usually diagnosed on a clinical basis, but if symptoms are severe, samples from the throat or stool samples may be collected and sent to a laboratory to test for the virus,” McCarthy said.
“There is no specific vaccine or treatment for HFMD. Individual symptoms such as fever and pain from sores can be treated with medication. Affected individuals are encouraged to rest and drink plenty of water.”
McCarthy said a small minority of individuals with HFMD might have to be admitted to hospital for treatment of complications.
Infected individuals with severe disease or complications should report to the nearest healthcare facility.
McCarthy advised teachers and parents to encourage good hygiene such as washing hands regularly and not share eating utensils (e.g. cutlery, cups, and toothbrushes).
Clean surfaces regularly as well as shared items such as toys and stationary.
Children should avoid direct contact with sick people.
Affected children should not be excluded from school if they were well enough to attend, McCarthy said.
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