HFMD means “Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease”. It is an infectious disease that spreads mainly in young children. It is caused by coxsackie virus and enterovirus. Symptoms of HFMD include fever, sore throat, and blisters on hands, feet, and mouth. Let us know about the causes, symptoms and ways to avoid this disease.
Know how this disease spreads
The main causes of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) are coxsackievirus A16 and enterovirus 71. These viruses spread through contact with an infected person. The virus spreads through coughing, sneezing, saliva, nasal secretions and feces. This disease can also spread by touching infected surfaces or coming in close contact with an infected person. Young children, whose immune system is not fully developed, are more susceptible to this disease. Therefore, it is very important to take special care of cleanliness and maintain distance from infected persons.
Treating HFMD
There is no specific treatment for HFMD, but symptoms can be controlled.
- Give paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce fever and pain.
- To soothe mouth ulcers, drink cool fluids, like cold milk or water.
- Give rest to the child and give him more water to drink so that he does not get dehydrated.
- Feed light and soft food, like porridge, soup or curd, so that the child does not have difficulty in eating.
- If the child feels very uncomfortable or the symptoms worsen, contact the doctor immediately.
Preventive measures
- Washing hands with soap and water: Wash your and your children’s hands often with soap and water, especially before eating and after using the toilet.
- Keeping distance from the infected person: If someone has HFMD, keep distance from him/her. Keep his/her clothes, utensils and toys separate and clean them thoroughly.
- Maintain cleanliness: Keep children clean and clean their toys daily. Take care of cleanliness in the house.
- Avoiding crowded places: Avoid taking children to crowded places where there is a high chance of spreading infection.
Disclaimer: Some of the information given in the news is based on media reports. Before implementing any suggestion, please consult the concerned expert.
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