Hand, foot and mouth disease

Bacolod City, in the past few weeks, has reported an increasing number of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in both children and adults.

Early this year, the Department of Health reported that there was a 175.7 percent increase of HFMD cases compared to last year. The census showed that 23.7 percent of cases came from Cagayan Valley, followed by 20.1 percent from Calabarzon, then 15.5 percent from Northern Mindanao, 9.6 percent from Metro Manila, and 5.4 percent from Mimaropa.

What is HFMD? It is an infectious viral infection that is caused by enteroviruses, usually by Coxsackievirus A16 (CA16) and Enterovirus 71 (EV71). Children 1-4 years old are at higher risk of getting the disease but even older children and adults can be infected.

Symptoms begin with a high grade fever followed by non-specific symptoms of flu, such as malaise, sore throat and decreased appetite. After one to two days, painful sores may start to appear in the mouth. This may be followed by the onset of non-itchy flat red rash on the palms and soles which may lead to blister formation. These may also appear on the elbow, knee and buttocks. In some cases, the symptoms are atypical which makes diagnosis difficult. What is worse is that some people may be asymptomatic, and yet, may transmit the disease to others.

The culprit virus is found in throat and nose secretions, blister fluid of the skin rash, and even in the feces. Thus, it can easily be spread through the air by sneezing or coughing, by personal contact, contact with feces, and contact with objects that are contaminated by the virus, such as doorknobs, tables and other surfaces.

A person is considered highly contagious during the first week of illness. However, others may remain contagious for days or even weeks after the symptoms are gone.

HFMD has no vaccine against it. Prevention would entail healthy clean practices such as adequate hand washing with soap and water, especially after changing diapers or using the toilet; avoid close contact, such as hugging, kissing or sharing utensils, with an HFMD-infected person; and clean and disinfect frequently-touched surface, such as doorknobs, tables, chairs and even children's toys.

As with most of the viral infections, HFMD has no known cure. Treatment, therefore, is aimed at alleviating symptoms. Pain killers may be given for pain relief, anesthetic mouth spray may be used to numb affected areas of the throat, and encourage the sick to drink lots of water even if their throat hurts.

We must start practicing what we learned with regards to maintaining our cleanliness. After all, to quote Sam Veda, “One who maintains cleanliness keeps away diseases.”*

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