Four cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) have been reported in Khanh Hoa...
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| Children under 3 are susceptible to HFMD. |
Four cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) have been reported in Khanh Hoa since the beginning of 2009 according to the Khanh Hoa Provincial Preventive Medicine Center. To prevent HFMD outbreak, all people must take precaution against the disease.
Dr. Ngo Thi Thanh Canh, deputy dean of pediatrics of Khanh Hoa General Hospital, said, “In Vietnam, from March to November is known as the HFMD season. Children under 3 years of age are the most susceptible to the disease. 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.”
HFMD is a common viral illness of infants and children. The disease causes fever and blister-like eruptions in the mouth and/or a skin rash. The disease usually begins with a fever, poor appetite, malaise, and often with a sore throat. One or two days after fever onset, painful sores usually develop in the mouth. They begin as small red spots that blister and then often become ulcers. The sores are usually located on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks. A non-itchy skin rash develops over one or two days. The rash has flat or raised red spots, sometimes with blisters. The rash is usually located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet; it may also appear on the buttocks and/or genitalia. A person with HFMD may have only the rash or only the mouth sores.
HFMD is caused by viruses that belong to the enterovirus genus. This group of viruses includes polioviruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, and enteroviruses. Coxsackievirus A16 is the most common cause of HFMD, but other coxsackieviruses have been associated with the illness. Enteroviruses, including enterovirus 71, have also been associated with HFMD and with outbreaks of the disease.
Early symptoms are likely to be fever often 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 may appear in the mouth and/or throat. A rash may become evident on the hands, feet, and occasionally the buttocks. However, not all symptoms will be present in all cases. Most patients with HFMD will recover with rest and supportive treatment. Suspected HFMD cases should be isolated and hospitalized for diagnosis and treatment.
There is no specific treatment for HFMD. To prevent the outbreak of HFMD and many diseases such as diarrhea, flu, petechial fever, varicella, etc., the Department of Health has issued many documents to instruct the Khanh Hoa Preventive Medicine, Khanh Hoa General Hospital, clinics of districts and towns to enhance supervision and prevention of the disease outbreak in the locality. Meanwhile, all families must be aware of the disease and prevent the disease and avoid unfortunate complication when infected.
N.T
