Tag Archives: HFMD

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD)

Popular TV host and actress Kris Aquino and her two children have been afflicted with hand, foot, and mouth disease or HFMD. They are admitted and being treated in a health facility.

Here’s a brief information about HFMD.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease

HFMD is a viral disease common in children under 10 years old. It may also infect adults. It causes fever and blister in the mouth and skin rash.

HFMD is different with foot-and-mouth or hoof-and-mouth disease. The two diseases are caused by different viruses. Foot and mouth is an illness of cattle, sheep, and swine.

Symptoms

  • Fever, poor appetite, malaise (depression), sore throat.
  • Painful sores or small red spots erupt one or two days after the onset of fever onset. These spots develop in the tongue, gums and inside the cheeks.
  • Non-itchy rash develops on the palm of the hands and soles of the feet. It may also appear on the buttocks and genitalia.

Transmission

  • Infection is spread from person to person thru direct contact.
  • Nose and throat secretions, saliva, blister fluid and stool of infected person.
  • The infection is highly contagious during the first week of the illness.
  • Some cases are asymptomatic or those that do not manifest symptoms.

Treatment

  • There is no specific treatment for HFMD.
  • Pain reliever can be administered for pain caused by mouth sores, fever and aches
  • Mouthwashes or sprays that numb pain can be used to lessen mouth pain.
  • Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Prevention

  • Good hygiene practices such as hand washing before and after handling of food, after toilet use, cleaning dirty surfaces and soiled items can lower the risk of infection.
  • Avoiding close contact such as kissing, hugging, sharing eating utensils or cups with persons with HFMD.

source:  www.cdc.gov