Hand , Foot And Mouth Disease

 

Overview:

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease — a mild, contagious viral infection common in young children — is characterized by sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is most commonly caused by a coxsackievirus.

These viruses can spread from person to person through direct contact with unwashed hands or surfaces contaminated with feces. It can also be transmitted through contact with a person’s saliva, stool, or respiratory secretions.

Symptoms:

Symptoms begin to develop 3 to 6 days after first getting the infection. This period is known as the incubation period. When symptoms do appear, you or your child may experience:

• Reduced appetite, fever, painful throat
• Headache
• Irritability
• Malaise (feeling unwell)
• Red, uncomfortable sores in your mouth
• Drooling
• A red rash on the soles of your feet and hands

The typical incubation period, or time between the first infection and the onset of symptoms, is three to six days. A sore throat, fever, and occasionally a lack of appetite are the early symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth illness.

Usually, the rash appears as flat, red patches. Darker skin tones can make the spots difficult to discern, so it's easier to inspect the bottoms of the feet and the palms of the hands, where the condition might be more obvious.

Causes:

 A coxsackievirus strain, most frequently coxsackievirus A16, is frequently responsible for HFMD. The coxsackievirus is a member of the enterovirus family of pathogens. Other kinds of enteroviruses can occasionally cause HFMD.

Transmission:

Viruses can be quickly transferred from one person to another. HFMD can be contracted by coming into contact with someone who has:

• Saliva.
• Bled-off blister fluid.
• Feces.
• Respiratory droplets released into the atmosphere as a result of coughing or sneezing.
• Direct contact with unwashed hands or a surface can also spread HFMD.
• Showing signs of the infection.
• Sneeze or coughing.
• Close proximity, such as sharing glasses or utensils.
• Poop contact, such as when changing a diaper.
• Contacting objects that have the pathogen on them.

Who is susceptible to the hand, foot, and mouth illness?

The risk of developing HFMD is higher in young children. Attending daycare or school puts them at greater risk because infections can spread quickly in these settings.

After exposure to the viruses that cause the disease, children typically develop immunity to it. This is why people older than 10 are rarely affected by the illness.

Adults and older children can still contract the virus, especially if their immune systems are compromised.

 Diagnosis:

HFMD is frequently identified via a physical examination by a physician. They'll look for blisters and rashes around your mouth and body. Your child or you will be asked by the doctor about additional symptoms.

For a virus test, the doctor may collect a stool sample or a swab from the throat. They will be able to confirm the diagnosis in this way.

Treatment:

The infection will often disappear without therapy in 7 to 10 days. However, until the disease has run its course, your doctor can suggest certain medications to help with symptom relief. These may consist of:

topical creams on blisters and rashes that are prescribed or available over-the-counter painkillers for headaches such acetaminophen or ibuprofen

medications in syrups or lozenges to relieve sore throat discomfort

Children should not receive aspirin for viral illnesses. Children who take aspirin may develop Reye's syndrome.

 Home remedies:

The symptoms of HFMD may also be alleviated by some at-home remedies. The home remedies listed below can help blisters feel less uncomfortable.

• Sucking on popsicles or pieces of ice
• Eating sherbet or ice cream
• Consuming cold drinks
• Limiting soda, fruit juices, and citrus fruits
• Reducing intake of hot and salty meals
• Blisters in the mouth and sores in the throat may both be made better by gargling with warm salt water. 

Complication:

 Hand, foot, and mouth disease rarely causes severe complications. Compared to other HFMD viruses, enterovirus 71 has a higher propensity to create issues.

• Dehydration if it's difficult to take liquids due to mouth sores
• The membranes around the brain and spinal cord swelling (viral meningitis)
• Brain enlargement (encephalitis)
• Muscle in the heart swelling (myocarditis)
• Paralysis

Prevention:

The risk of contracting hand, foot, and mouth disease can be decreased by taking the following precautions:

Carefully wash your hands.

 It's important to routinely and thoroughly wash your hands, especially after using the restroom or changing a diaper as well as before preparing and eating meals. Use hand gels or wipes that have been treated with germ-killing alcohol when soap and water are not readily available.

Clean up the common spaces. 

Make it a routine to first wash high-traffic areas and surfaces with soap and water before cleaning them with a water and chlorine bleach solution that has been diluted. Child care facilities should adhere to a strict schedule for cleaning and disinfecting all shared areas, including items like toys that are used frequently because the virus can survive there for days. Consistently clean your baby's pacifiers.

Teach good hygiene. 

Teach your kids how to maintain their own cleanliness and proper hygiene. Inform them about the benefits of avoiding putting their hands, fingers, or any other objects in their mouths.

Separate contagious individuals.

 People who have the sickness should restrict their contact with others while they are experiencing active signs and symptoms since hand, foot, and mouth disease is highly contagious. Children who have HFM should not attend daycare or school until their fever has subsided and any mouth sores have recovered. Stay at home from work if you are sick.