Alert For HFMD DISEASE IN SCHOOL

What is Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a human syndrome caused by intestinal viruses of the picornaviridae family. The most common strains causing HFMD are coxsackie A virus and enterovirus 71 EV-71 .

HFMD is a contagious illness caused by different viruses . Although older children & adults affected by the disease but children below 5 year age are more likely to get affected .

HFMD usually affects infants and children, and is quite common. It is moderately contagious and is spread through direct contact with the mucus, saliva, or feces of an infected person. It typically occurs in small epidemics in nursery schools or kindergartens, usually during the summer and autumn months. The usual incubation period is 3–7 days.

It is less common in adults; however, it is still possible to catch it especially if never exposed to the virus previously. HFMD is not to be confused with foot-and-mouth disease (also called hoof-and-mouth disease), a separate disease affecting sheep, cattle, and swine (both are caused by members of the picornaviridae family, but are not trans-communicable between humans and livestock).

Symptoms of HFMD

Fever,Fatigue,Malaise,Sore throat,

Painful oral, nasal, or facial lesions, ulcers or blisters

Body rash, followed by sores with blisters on palms of hand, soles of feet, and sometimes on the lips. The rash is rarely itchy for children, but can be extremely itchy for adults.Sores or blisters may be present on the buttocks of small children and infants Irritability in infants and toddlers

Loss of appetite

Diarrhea

There is no specific treatment for hand, foot and mouth disease.

Treament of  HFMD

The only way to ease from this disease is adopting hygiene practices .People should always maintain good hygiene practices . The only way to avoid this disease is to adopt good hygiene and sanitation practices.



Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand,_foot_and_mouth_disease
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/govt-sounds-alert-for-foot-and-mouth-disease-in-schools/article5194842.ece

Picture Source: http://heeals.org/