Foot and Mouth Disease - What is this?

   

  Just 3 days ago Presidential sister Kris Aquino's kids were reported to have acquired foot and mouth disease. Different reactions and opinions were made by people who heard the news, like: " pati pala na ang mayayama pwedeng tamaan nito!" "Naku, saan ba nakukuha and ganitong sakit?"  " Akala ko mga taong lang na mahilig sa marurumi and nahahawa ng ganitong sakit!". What is shocking is that it does not choose people. Any person from any walks of life can be contaminated with this infection. Even wealthy and famous personality.


   What really is HMFD, what are the symptoms and the remedy of this disease?
   


   Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a human syndrome caused by intestinal viruses of the Picornaviridae family. 

Symptoms Includes:
Fever, Headache, Vomiting, Fatigue, Non-itchy body rash, followed by sores with blisters on palms of hands and soles of feet, Sore throat, Sores or blisters may be present on the buttocks of small children and infants,Loss of appetite and Diarrhea

How It Is Spread

• Infection is spread from person to person by direct contact with infectious virus. Infectious virus is found in the nose and throat secretions, saliva, blister fluid, and stool of infected persons. The virus is most often spread by persons with unwashed, virus-contaminated hands and by contact with virus-contaminated surfaces.

• Infected persons are most contagious during the first week of the illness.

• The viruses that cause HFMD can remain in the body for weeks after a patient's symptoms have gone away. This means that the infected person can still pass the infection to other people even though he/she appears well. Also, some persons who are infected and excreting the virus, including most adults, may have no symptoms.

• HFMD is not transmitted to or from pets or other animals.

Treatment:
There is no specific treatment for hand, foot and mouth disease. Individual symptoms, such as fever and pain from the sores, may be eased with the use of medication. HFMD is a viral disease that has to run its course; many doctors do not issue medicine for this illness, unless the infection is severe. Infection in older children, adolescents, and adults is normally very mild and lasts around 1 week or sometimes more. Fever reducers will help to control high temperatures. Luke-warm baths will also help bring temperature down.


There is no specific treatment for this infection so better if noticed  the signs and  symptoms listed above  in our children we better consult the doctor or specialists for HFMD so situation will not grow worst and we can prevent the spread of HFMD.