Autumn is here.
Which also means we are entering a ‘lovely’ period of colds, flus and other viruses.
A virus infection that is spreading right now is the contagious HFMD — Hand, foot, and mouth disease.
In some countries, this condition is also referred to as the ‘fall pox’.
The infection usually occurs around the fall and late summer months and affects mainly children under 10.
The infection spreads through direct contact from person to person — and results in red dots or blisters that can appear throughout the entire body of the child.
The blisters and dots can look really nasty in some cases, and according to specialists the most common problems are often:
- Blisters inside the mouth, lips, cheeks, tongue and palate.
- Blisters on the hands, feet, buttocks and other parts of the body can also occur.
- Small wounds may occur if the blisters burst.
- Fever of around 102 F degrees.
- In some cases, the nails of some children may change in appearance and fall off.
Here’s what’s good to know if your child is suffering from HFMD:
- Stay calm; it’s a viral disease that will go away within a week. There is no special treatment.
- For fever and pain, you can give your child ordinary pain killers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.
- If the child has blisters in their mouth, try giving them something cold and easy to eat, such as cold drinks or ice cream.
- The infection is spread from person to person through close contact, especially through the hands. The disease is most infectious in the first days of sickness. The time from symptom to infection usually lasts three to seven days.
If you or your child get blisters and sores on or inside your mouth while experiencing high fever, then contact a healthcare professional to make sure there are no other causes for the symptoms.
Similar to chicken pox, the good thing about your child having suffered from HFMD is that he or she will not get it again.
So, if this type of red dots show up anywhere on your child, stay calm and just read up about the condition! Please share so that more parents have this information.
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