Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)

There is an epidemic in Sabah and Sarawak and have been so for almost 2 months now. The current strain that is being transmitted is EV71.

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a human syndrome caused by intestinal viruses of the Picornaviridae family. The most common strains causing HFMD are Coxsackie A virus and Enterovirus 71 (EV71).

HFMD usually affects infants and children, and is quite common. It is moderately contagious and is spread through direct contact with the mucus, saliva, or feces of an infected person. It typically occurs in small epidemics in nursery schools or kindergartens. The usual incubation period is 3-7 days.
It is extremely uncommon in adults; however, still a possibility. Most adults have strong enough immune systems to defeat the virus, but those with immune deficiencies are very susceptible.
Symptoms of HFMD include:
Fever
Headache
Vomiting
Fatigue
Malaise
Sore throat
Painful oral lesions
Non-itchy body rash, followed by sores with blisters on palms of hands and soles of feet
Oral ulcer
Sores or blisters may be present on the buttocks of small children and infants
Irritability in infants and toddlers
Loss of appetite.
Diarrhea

Early symptoms are likely to be fever followed by a sore throat. Loss of appetite and general malaise may also occur. Between one and two days after the onset of fever, painful sores (lesions) may appear in the mouth and/or throat. A rash may become evident on the hands, feet, and occasionally the buttocks (but generally, the rash on the buttocks will be caused from the diarrhea.) Not all symptoms will be present in all cases.

There is no specific treatment for hand, foot and mouth disease. Individual symptoms, such as fever, lameness, 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.

Only a very small minority of sufferers require hospital admission, mainly as a result of neurological complications (encephalitis, meningitis, or acute flaccid paralysis) or pulmonary edema/pulmonary hemorrhage.

Advice for Parents

Parents are advised to consult a doctor early if their child has symptoms of HFMD. They should be alert to any change in their child's normal behaviour, e.g. irritation and sleepiness, should they refuse to eat, have persistent vomitting or drowsiness.

PREVENTION

Children should be kept away from crowded places e.g. schools, preschools, play groups, public transport if they show signs of infection. Family members are advised to follow good hygiene practices, including frequent hand hygiene, to limit the spread of infection.


Please be careful and be aware when you are in public places and especially when going to East Malaysia.