Hand Foot Mouth Disease on the Rise
"Hand, foot and mouth also referred to as Coxsackie virus is caused by a family of viruses called enteroviruses and, from an infectious disease standpoint, those viruses circulate … in late summer, early fall," it's one of the most common reasons – if not the most common reason – kids currently wind up in pediatrician's clinics and emergency rooms.
What are the Symptoms?
Early symptoms may include fever and a sore throat. Painful blisters similar to cold sores can show up on the inside of your child's mouth or on his tongue. He might get a rash on the palms of his hands or the soles of his feet a day or two after the first symptoms appear. This rash may turn into blisters. Flat spots or sores may pop up on the knees, elbows, or buttocks. He could have all of these symptoms, or only one or two. Mouth sores can make it hurt to swallow, so be sure your child gets enough water and calories.
How do you catch Hand Foot Mouth Disease?
Your child can catch hand-foot-and-mouth through contact with someone who has it, or from something that's been in contact with the virus, like a toy, tabletop, or doorknob. It tends to spread easily in the summer and fall.
How long does it take for Hand Foot Mouth to go away?
The fever can be high, but often is mild. Blisters on the hands and feet, and ulcers or blisters in the mouth appear 1-2 days after the first symptoms and may last for 2 – 7 days. The blisters often appear in the nappy (genital) area and sometimes also on the upper arms, upper legs and bottoms of children.
How is Hand Foot Mouth Treated?
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease should go away on its own after 7 to 10 days. There is no treatment for the illness and no vaccine. Comfort measure such as Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) or numbing mouth sprays may be recommended by a physician.
How to reduce the chances or catching or spreading Hand Foot Mouth?
Preventive measures include frequent hand washing, especially after diaper changes and after using the toilet; thoroughly cleaning dirty surfaces and soiled items including toys and frequently touched items and or areas.
Let us help you reduce the risk of this disease from spreading at your facility or home today. We provide 100% coverage of all sprayed areas which remove human error when it comes to sanitizing and disinfecting an area. Give us a call today for a no obligation quote. We want to help you create a healthier environment for your little ones.