Today, we will be talking about a popular viral infection that affects many children; especially in the United States. It is the Hand-Foot-and-Mouth disease. The first time I heard about this viral infection was when I paid a visit to an old aunt who works as a nurse in a primary health center close to my home. She works with the department that is responsible for handling this condition. I got talking with her during the break period and she shared a few things about this viral infection with me. Here are some of the things she told me. Let’s get talking.
Different from Foot-and-Mouth Disease?
Forget the similarities in the names; these two conditions are different. The Hand-Foot-and-Mouth disease is in no way related to the Foot-and-Mouth disease; although they are both viral conditions. In fact, the latter is a disease that affects farm animals; especially cows. It can be transmitted from one farm animal to another. It is also referred to as the hoof-and-mouth disease. The hand-foot-and-mouth disease, on the other hand, is a viral condition peculiar to humans; especially children.
This means that humans (children) cannot contract the foot-and-mouth disease just as farm animals cannot contract the hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Confusing right? I know. However, be sure not to mistake one for the other.
What then is the Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease?
Good question! In simple terms, this is a mild, contagious viral infection that affects young children; especially children who are not up to the age of ten. However, this does not mean that persons older than ten cannot contract this viral infection. The condition is caused by a virus known as coxsackievirus and it is identified by sores in the mouth and rashes on the hands and the feet of the patient.
The first cases of this viral disease were first recorded, clinically, in Canada and New Zealand around 1957. It is sometimes referred to as the HFMD.
What’s with the Name?
Many persons are keen on knowing how the name of this infection came about. I was keen too and I had to ask my old aunt about this. Well, she told me that the disease was named the hand-foot-and-mouth disease by a certain physician and pathologist called Thomas Henry Flewett in 1960.
What are the Causes of this Disease?
The hand-foot-and-mouth disease is caused by a family of viruses known as the Picornaviridae family. This is the family from which the coxsackievirus emerges. Apart from the coxsackievirus, the HFMD can also be caused by different strains of enterovirus. The coxsackievirus is transmitted via oral ingestion.
Outbreaks of this condition usually occur during spring, autumn and summer seasons, as a result of the higher humidity levels. The condition is more common in rural areas than in urban areas. In the tropics, HFMD outbreaks may occur all year round. Other factors such as poor hygiene levels may aid the spread of this disease. In the last 20 years, there have been about 71 recorded outbreaks of the hand-foot-and-mouth disease.
The HFMD is a communicable disease. This means that it can be transmitted from an infected person to a non-infected person. This can happen if the non-infected person comes in contact with the infected individual’s nasal secretions or throat discharge like mucus; fluid from the infected person’s blisters; the infected person’s stool and saliva; and the respiratory droplets that are sprayed when the infected person sneezes or coughs.
Something with Child Care Settings
Child care settings like daycares and nurseries provide a suitable environment for HFMD to thrive. I have already mentioned that children aged below ten are most susceptible to this condition. Children often put their hands in their mouths, and as such, they can easily ingest mucus, feces or saliva containing the HFMD causing virus. Of course, you should know that in nurseries and other child care settings, things like diaper change and potty training are frequent. If the caregivers or guardians are not careful, the children can easily come in contact with these waste products and human fluids, thereby increasing their chances of suffering from the HFMD.
Apart from child-to-child transmissions, adults may also transmit this disease to the children. It is worse with adults because they usually exhibit none of the symptoms of this condition. This means that they can easily transmit HFMD without knowing they have.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of the HFMD?
Signs and symptoms of this infection will usually appear in children within three to six days of their exposure to the virus. Usually, a fever is the first sign that your child is infected with the HFMD. After this, children may develop blisters and bumps around their hands, feet, feet and even private parts. A few weeks after, the infected person may suffer fingernails and toenails loss.
Other symptoms of this condition include:
- A sore throat
- Mild illness
- Loss of appetite
- Irritability
- Painful blisters on the tongue, gums, and cheeks
- Rashes
My aunt told me that these symptoms may not always mean that a person is suffering from HFMD. There is a similar condition that brings about similar symptoms as the one I have listed above. This condition is called Herpangina. Its most common symptoms include sudden fever, sores at the back of the mouth and the throat and seizures, in some cases.
It is important to note that HFMD is a mild condition, as such, it is expected to wear off after some days. If the symptoms worsen, be sure to contact your physician. Complications such as viral meningitis, paralysis, and encephalitis can develop, in rare cases.
Diagnosis
When the symptoms listed above appear, it is best for you to visit your physician in order to ascertain the exact viral infection your child or ward is dealing with. My aunt said that at the local health center, they usually take a throat swab or stool specimen from the patient in order to ascertain the particular infection the child is suffering from.
Are there Treatment Options?
Typically, HFMD is expected to clear up in seven to ten days after the appearance of the first symptom. Experts have developed a vaccine to help prevent this condition. However, it is necessary to note that there are no particular treatment options for this condition. What can be done is to give medications that can help reduce the pain and discomfort which your child may suffer as a result of this condition. Thus, pain relievers and a local anesthetic may be administered on the patient.
Also, lifestyle remedies like eating soft food, eating ice cream and avoiding salty, acidic and spicy foods may help patients too.
How Can it be Prevented?
I was really interested in knowing how to prevent this condition. My old aunt told me some prevention methods that can be adopted.
The first thing to do is to avoid direct physical contact with infected persons. This includes avoiding contact with their apparatuses like cups, spoons and other shared utensils. Also, be sure to properly disinfect all infected surfaces. Maintaining good personal and environmental hygiene will decrease the chances of your infant suffering this condition. Children should avoid putting their hands, fingers or other objects into their mouths; especially when they are at their nurseries or daycares. Isolating infected persons may help curb the spread of the disease too.
Washing your hands regularly and thoroughly; especially after changing your baby’s diapers and using the toilet will help to prevent the spread of the disease. If the spread of HFMD is not curbed or managed, it could lead to an outbreak of the disease.
Final Words…
It was an interesting and rewarding conversation with my old aunt that day. I also learned that I had suffered this condition when I was an infant. Thankfully, it did not develop to anything worse. Anyways, now you know about the hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Be sure to tell someone today.
