There are numerous concerns in the world. Many of them involved young, innocent children. Though the COVID-19 outbreak brought heartbreak for parents whose children became infected with the virus, there is another disease that requires attention due to its present rapid spread.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) was first clinically diagnosed in 1957 in New Zealand. In 1997, it made its way to Malaysia’s shores, first in Sarawak. In the same year, the Enterovirus 71 virus caused the deaths of between 28 and 31 children.
Today, the number of HFMD cases has increased 20 times over the same period last year. According to Health Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, as of May 24, there has been an increase in 47,209 cases since the start of the year.
The majority of the cases (93 per cent) involved children aged six and under, with only six per cent involving children aged seven to twelve. The majority of the accumulating cases have been reported in Selangor (13,640) as of May 21. Sarawak, on the other hand, has 1,087 cases with 20 admissions to date.
The disease that is lurking around
High monitoring is required for children who attend schools and nurseries, as HFMD can be found there. When there is an index case, according to paediatrician Dr Wee Thian Yew, the virus spreads quickly, especially in crowded locations.
Children under the age of five are particularly vulnerable to the infection, according to the children’s specialist, who said that HFMD can be contracted through contaminated food or surfaces containing the Coxsackie A virus.
“The virus can be found in an infected person’s saliva, nasal discharge, faeces, and vesicle fluid.
“Fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, and vesicles across the palms and soles are all symptoms of the disease. Vesicles can also occur on the buttocks, elbows, and knees. Malaise, loss of appetite, and exhaustion” are also common symptoms,” said Dr Wee.
Enterovirus 71 is another cause of HFMD. The symptoms are similar, but the condition is more severe, according to the doctor.
“Dehydration, swelling of the membranes surrounding the meninges and spinal cord (meningitis), swelling of the brain (encephalitis), swelling of the heart (myocarditis), and even paralysis may happen. These problems, however, are uncommon.”
When questioned about the treatments for HFMD, Dr Wee, who has years of experience in the field, said that because it is caused by a virus, antibiotics are ineffective.
“The mainstay of treatment is to take paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce the fever. They can also help with body aches and pain from vesicular lesions. Ibuprofen also helps to relieve the pain of mouth ulcers. Local analgesic applications, such as Oral Aid, which contains lignocaine, may also be useful.
“Children who have been infected with the virus should drink plenty of water. Parents can give their children ice cream, yoghurt, and smoothies to help them get some fluid and nutrition.”
Those who are unable to eat or drink due to pain may need to be taken to the hospital for hydration via an intravenous drip, Dr Wee added.
The fight against HFMD
Like most fights against diseases, there are ways to stop diseases from spreading farther. Dr. Wee advised that good hygiene should be maintained to avoid contracting the disease.
“Hand washing should be done often, utensils should not be shared, and sick people should not be hugged or kissed.” When coughing, always remember to cover your mouth. “After changing a diaper, mothers should wash their hands,” he said.
He also advised that children who have the sickness be kept out of schools and nurseries until the oral ulcers healed and the vesicles dried up.
“These ulcers and vesicles usually heal within a week.” If an adult gets the condition, the symptoms will be less severe. And once you’ve contracted HFMD, you won’t be immune for the rest of your life. It’s still possible for patients to get it weeks later.”
Because the disease has a higher danger of spreading in schools and nurseries, they must be closed for sanitisation. This is especially when a large number of cases are involved.
“Students or children should be subjected to screening. Anyone exhibiting symptoms of HFMD should be evaluated by medical personnel and isolated for at least one week,” Dr Wee said.
