Lets talk about HFMD

This is a special post.
For educational purposes, and knowledge sharing.
Since I am currently at home taking care of Arif this week, I have the privileged to google up for more info on HFMD.

As scary as it may sound, it is stated that this is a common disease infecting infants and children below age 10 years old.
It is moderately contagious and is spread through direct contact with the mucus, saliva, or feces (urine/ stool) of an infected person.
Quarantine period is 3–7 days.
It is uncommon in adults, but those with immune deficiencies are very susceptible, and when infected, it could be fatal.
Babies born to mothers who have symptoms of enteroviral illness around the time of delivery are more likely to be infected.
Hence,pregnant women must practice good hygiene to decrease the risk of infection during pregnancy and around the time of delivery.

This HFMD is caused by the Cocksckie A virus which tend to infect the skin.
Early symptoms are likely to be fever often followed by a sore throat.
Loss of appetite and general discomfort may also occur.
First two days after the onset of fever, painful sores may appear in the mouth and/or throat.
A rash may become evident on the hands, feet, mouth, tongue, inside of the cheeks, and occasionally the buttocks (but generally, the rash on the buttocks will be caused by the diarrhoea.)


In my case, Arif didn't get any fever, and doesn't loose appetite either.
Doc said we're lucky that this could just be a mild one.

Treatment?
None.
Yup.. no vaccine nor antiviral drugs to make it go away.
Just calamine lotion, to make sure external spots are dry and sooth the itchiness.
And the paracetamol, for fever, if any.
And allergy syrup, in case to relief the aches.
Doc said there are cases which requires antibiotic, and that is when the throat has been infected badly.
Hence the immediate and thorough check up is important to determine the level of HFMD caught.

The tip is to make sure your child is cool, clean and dry all the time.
Wear light, thin clothing and placed them under the fan.
Drink loads and loads of water to relief the mouth ulcers, ease swollen throat, and to prevent dehydration.
If they have fever, sponging with water is necessary.
Cool on the inside of the mouth is crucial too- and that's where the ice cream plays its most important role.

For more info, feel free to click wiki, and special link from the Sarawak gov.

(pics and info googled from the net)