Monday, May 08, 2006

Amirul has (suspected)HFMD-hand foot and mouth disease-thats what the dr can confirm now. I don't know where he got it from. He got it last year too, but we did not detect it umtil Amira got infected. So this time round we are more aware. He develop fever last Saturday, was better on Sunday when we brought him to the dr- the dr checked for HFMD but did not detect any symptoms, and today his teachers saw some spots on his hands and ask us to fetch him back just to play safe. He will be out of school for about 5 days(again).He only have some minor ulcers in his mouth and the spots are on top of his hands and not in his palms like the common cases. Now we have to be careful about Amira next. As a good mother and citizen I shall post some facts about HFMD to all the young mothers out there, because trust me, u always feel like you will be the last to be affected by it.

What is Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD)?
HFMD is an illness caused by intestinal viruses, commonest being Coxsackie virus and Enterovirus 71. A person with HFMD usually presents with the following symptoms:
*Fever for 2-3 days
*Sore throat
*Rash (flat or raised red spots, some with blisters) on palms of hands, soles of feet, or buttocks
*Mouth ulcers
*Poor appetite
*Vomiting and diarrhoea
*Tiredness and weakness ("feeling sick")

How is HFMD transmitted?
HFMD is spread from person to person by direct contact with the nasal discharge, saliva, faeces and fluid from the rash of an infected person and indirectly by contaminated articles.
A person is most contagious during the first week of the illness.

What is the incubation period of HFMD?
The incubation period of HFMD is 3 to 5 days (with a range from 2 days to 2 weeks).

Does HFMD affect only children?
No. Both adults and children can be affected but young children, particularly those under the age of 5 are most susceptible.

What is the treatment for HFMD?
HFMD is usually mild and self-limiting. No specific treatment is available, however, treatment can be given to relieve the symptoms of the disease.
There is no vaccine for the prevention or treatment of HFMD.

Is HFMD associated with fatalities?
Most cases of HFMD are mild. Occasionally, serious complications involving the nervous system (encephalitis) and heart (myocarditis) can occur.

What should parents do if their child has HFMD?
Most cases of HFMD are mild. Occasionally, serious complications involving the nervous system (encephalitis) and heart (myocarditis) can occur.

What should parents do if their child has HFMD?
Parents are advised to consult a doctor early if their child has symptoms of HFMD.
They should also be alert to any change in their child's normal behaviour, eg irritation and sleepiness. Should they refuse to eat or drink, have persistent vomiting or drowsiness, parents should bring their child immediately to the A&E Departments of either NUH or KKH, whichever is closer to their home.

Children infected with HFMD should:

* Stay at home and avoid contact with other children until they have recovered;
* Remain away from school until their fever has subsided and they must be certified free from HFMD infection by a registered medical practitioner prior to returning to school.

Are there any precautions that parents can take to prevent transmission of HFMD?
Children should be kept away from crowded public places (schools, preschools, play groups, markets, swimming pools, public transport etc.) if they show signs of infection. Family members are advised to adopt the following good personal and environmental hygiene practices:

* Wash hands with soap and running water before eating and after going to the toilet
* Cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
* Maintain good air circulation
* Clean thoroughly the premises and toys or appliances that are handled by the infected child or are contaminated by his/her nasal or oral secretions with 0.5% sodium hypochlorite solution. Sodium hypochorite is the active ingredient in most household bleaches.
(If your bleach contains 5.25% of sodium hypochlorite, you need to dilute one part of your bleach in ten parts of water to get 0.5% sodium hypochlorite solution.)
* Do not share eating utensils

Can HFMD be spread via the swimming pools?
HFMD is contact-transmissible disease and is not water-borne.
Public swimming pools are regulated by National Environment Agency and have to meet strict conditions to maintain environmental hygiene and sanitation standards. There is also a dilution effect that would make it unlikely for transmission to occur through water in a swimming pool.

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