Hand Foot and Mouth Disease
‘Avoid sharing food, clothes, and toys of infected children’
Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar Sep 30 (KINS): Director Health Services Kashmir Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather has asked people not to panic due to the outbreak of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) instead take some precautionary measures.
“HFMD is not a serious disease. It is a viral infection. Those children who have been infected should be isolated and their parents should follow the proper advice of doctors,” Dr Mushtaq told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
Several schools have reported the HFMD outbreak prompting the management to shut down some classes to prevent its spread. There is also a panic among parents due to this disease.
According to Healthline, HFMD is a mild contagious viral infection that affects children. Its symptoms include sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet. The disease is mostly caused by coxsackievirus. There’s no specific treatment for hand-foot-and-mouth disease.
“Parents should ensure that proper hygiene is maintained for their children. Those who have been infected should be isolated. They should also ensure that clothes, food and toys of infected children are not shared with others,” he added.
The health department has also issued a detailed list of dos and don’ts and advised parents to adhere to the guidelines to prevent the spread of HFMD/Tomato Flu.
“Avoid immediate contact with the infected person. Educate your child about the signs and symptoms and their side effects. Tell your child not to hug or touch children having fever or rash symptoms. You should encourage your children about hygiene maintenance and stopping thumb of finger-sucking habits. Encourage the child t use a handkerchief in case of running nose or coughing to avoid the spread of the disease. Don’t scratch or rub the blister. Wash every time you touch these blisters,” the advisory said.
“Try to keep hydrated your child by motivating them to drink plenty of water, milk, or juice. If your child develops symptoms of tomato fever, immediately isolate them from other children to inhibit disease progression. All utensils, clothes, and other utility items including bedding should be separated and sanitized regularly. Always use warm water to clean the skin or bathe the child. Take a nutrition-rich balanced diet to boost immunity,” the advisory added. (KINS)
