Topic 6: Hand-Foot-Mouth Syndrome
Hand-foot-mouth syndrome is caused by Coxsackie virus which causes rashes on hands and feet. It begins with rashes on mouth, gum, palate, tongue and spreads to hands, feet and the part of the body that is wrapped around by the diaper. Vesicular rash will be clear and a few bruises which are usually found in newborn who is 2 weeks and above. After 5-7 days rashes will disappear.
Symptoms
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Rashes on throat, mouth, gum and tongue.
- Headache
- Rashes on hand and some on feet and bottom.
- Bored with food
- Irritated
Incubation period: the period between infection and onset of symptoms is about 4-6 days
Diagnosis: It can be found by body checking where the rashes occur.
Treatment: There is no specific treatment; it is usually treated by individual symptoms.
- Fever may be eased using analgesics.
- Drink at least 6-8 glasses water per day.
Incurrent disease
Most patients who are infected by coxsackie virus A16 will get well themselves, but if being infected by entero virus 71 which is more severe, they will acquire incurrent disease. The incurrent disease’s symptoms are as follows:
- May convulse from high fever. They have to be wiped down to reduce fever and take analgesics.
- May get meningitis.
Prevention Avoid touching a patient.
When to seek a doctor’s advice?
- Have high fever although taking fever-reducing medicine.
- Cannot drink water and become dehydrated, dry skin and dark urine.
- Being nervous.
- Having convulsions, may cause children to die.