Kids learn to explore their environment. They are ignorant of all the dangers of germs that could enter their little systems when they pick up random things and put them into their mouth. Several bacteria and viruses that cause deadly conditions are all around them at all times; only a strong immune system can keep combating these. One such nuisance is a viral condition called the Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease (HFMD). According to the World Health Organization, HFMD affects over 200 million children worldwide every year. Children under five are particularly vulnerable to severe complications. To help you tackle this condition better, here are the symptoms, causes, and remedies of HFMD.
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What is Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD)?
Hand, foot and mouth disease mostly affects children between two and six years of age; however, infants, older children (and rarely adults with weak immune system) may also contract this. It is a viral disease, in which afflicted kids develop sores on their hands, mouth and feet. Hands, feet and mouth are more susceptible to coming in contact with things that carry viruses and hence are more affected.
What are the symptoms of HFMD?
HFMD often starts with fever, loss of the appetite in the child, irritability, headaches, nausea, and sore throat.
A couple of days after the fever sets in, the child develops sores in the mouth –on the sides of their tongue, gums, inner surfaces of the cheeks, and at the back of the mouth. The sores are blister-like in appearance, painful, cause irritability and discomfort to the child. Because of the painful sores, the child may be reluctant to eat or drink. The child may then develop characteristic rashes on the palms, soles and on buttocks at times. The rashes are typically small, flat, red-coloured dots, which later become blisters. They are painful, however, not itchy.
What is the cause of HFMD?
HFMD is primarily caused by the following viruses that belong to the Picornaviridae family:
– Coxsackievirus A16/A10/A6
– Enterovirus 71 or EV 71
These viruses are contagious and spread faster in autumn and summer because of the warm weather. Adults who are affected by these, have low immunity and generally have had the disease in their childhood.
It is believed that these viruses first move to tissue within the mouth, in proximity of the tonsils. From here, the viruses move down the digestive system, up to the glands or lymph nodes and then further into the body, along with the blood. Entry to the critical organs such as the brain is blocked by the immune system
How does this condition spread?
Being an extremely contagious viral condition, children affected by the virus can spread it to several other children/adults within a week’s time after their symptoms begin.
Here are some routes of spread:
1. Blisters:
Direct contact with blisters/secretions that ooze out of the blisters
2. Saliva:
Most common way of spread. Sharing food, using the same spoons, drinking water from the same bottles/cups increase the chances of spread.
3. Contaminated Droplets:
Inhaling contaminated airborne droplets, especially after the infected person sneezes or coughs. This makes isolation essential.
4. Faecal matter:
The viruses can spread through faecal-oral route for up to four weeks after the symptoms have resolved. Children catch the virus at schools, day-care centres, and other places where common toilets are used. This emphasises the importance of handwashing and waste management.
How long does HFMD last?
It takes around 3 to 6 days for the infected person to present any symptoms. This is called the incubation period of the disease. However, the child can spread the disease in this span too. The disease follows a classic pattern of fever, rash, blisters, popping of blisters, and disappearance of blisters which lasts for 7-10 days.
How is HFMD diagnosed?
Symptoms, history and disease course (fever, rash, blisters) help a doctor diagnose this condition. At times, a throat swab, a stool or blood sample may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis, especially in the first few cases. After the area becomes endemic, diagnosis can be established by the doctor based on clinical knowledge alone, without the need for any tests. Differential diagnoses include other viral rashes, other contagious skin conditions and tomato flu.
How is HFMD treated?
The infection is self-limiting like other viral rashes. Blisters disappear without treatment, in most cases.
Treatment offered is largely symptomatic:
- Ointments to soothe blisters
- Pain-killers and fever relief medication such as paracetamol.
- Syrups or lozenges for soothing the painful/sore throat or for cough, if present
What are the preventive measures?
Follow the standard measures and tips of virus control to prevent HFMD:
– Handwash:
- Washing hands with soap and water is essential for the child and caregivers too
- after touching a blister
- before meals
- before cooking
- before feeding
- after a diaper/nappy change
- after using the toilet
– Surface disinfection:
Disinfect surfaces frequently touched by the affected child such as:
- toys
- floor
- taps
- drinking cups/utensils
- beddings
– Social distancing/isolation:
- Avoid sending infected children to schools/day-care centres
- Teach the child to cover his/her mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing
- Use protective masks
- Avoid kissing or hugging the child
– Waste management:
Dispose soiled toilet paper, diapers/nappies into dustbins and keep the bins closed. Handwash after handling faecal material is a must. Keep dustbins away from other younger children or pets in the house.
What are the complications to watch out for?
It is advisable to seek proper medical consultation and treatment as soon as you see symptoms related to HFMD, in a child.
The most common complication linked to HFMD is dehydration. The sores in the mouth make eating and drinking difficult leading to dehydration.
The disease is also known to cause other rare complications such as viral meningitis (inflammation of the protective membranes of the brain), and encephalitis (a serious and life-threatening inflammation of the brain).
Watch out for:
- persistent fever
- high body temperature
- neck stiffness
- low quantity of urine/ not passing urine in several hours
Always remember, precaution and prevention are better than cure!
Source:
Dr. Mamta Lele- Pawara
(MD Ayurveda-Internal Medicine, CRAV-Kayachikitsa, MA Sanskrit)
Resource: https://nhp.gov.in/disease/communicable-disease/hand-foot-and-mouth-disease