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)

The dream life of a 3 year old.

• Be at the comfort of own home, no need to go to nursery.
• Get to play with all his toys, and big brother's toys too.
• Watch cartoon network and playhouse disney channel the whole day. 
• Unlimited access to ice creams and iced-water!

My almost 3 year old Arif is hit with HFMD this week.
And hence we're in quarantine.
Sent his big brother to hometown with my parents.
So, it's just me and him at home now.
That's why he gets to play freely with all of Amin's toys, coz Amin is not here.

And according to doctor, ice cream and cold drinks help sooth the pain inside the mouth.. so, let him indulged in it.
Sounds like a dream, huh?

Man down, man down !!

It's BOY down, to be exact.
My soon-to-be 3 year old Arif is now down with HFMD.
What on earth is that?
It's the Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease.

We noticed these spots last night but I thought it was just mosquito bites.
So, I told hubby to put Mopiko ointment on it.
He didn't developed any fever and no loss of appetite either.
That's why we couldn't suspect this earlier.
Until this morning, as I was about to change his diaper, I noticed the same spots like, on his palm.

It's obvious.
Something is not right.
We diverted our nursery-route to the nearest clinic.
And no doubt, quarantine is the word enhanced by Dr. Johari.
So now, Arif is officially (and happily) on nursery-break, for the next 7 days.
Hope nothing serious turns out later.
Wish him well !!