HFMD Continue...

Phew..taking a rest after cleaning and disinfecting the house, more chores to come...cleaning on the mountainess of toys...

No one will know how HFMD is like if you have never encountered one yourself. As parents, it really pains to see the child being struck with any disease and having poor appetite. Other mums whose child has caught this disease says that their child are not able to consume any food except fluids, this is really saddening although my gal can still eat alittle which is a blessing in disguise.

For today HFMD Continue issue, I will be adding more information and precautions for AWARENESS as sometimes IGNORANCE really HURTS which I have derived from this learnt lesson.

Some Informations to share to create AWARENESS:

1) Usually we can find all the information we want through doctors, web, etc but I personally feel that experience with the disease is also a credit. This is one info which I have known from a mum whose kids has encountered with HFMD and I guess not many people are aware of this.
Do you know that besides the first week after symptoms appear or while there is fluid in the affected child’s blisters is the most contagious period, there is actually another period to be aware of? When she told me, I was really caught off guard, let me disclose this, another period which is the most contagious is during the recovery stage. I don't think many people are aware of this..so pls bear this point in mind.

2) Another point to be aware of which I've extracted through one of the article:
"The virus remains in the feces (stools) and can spread to others for up to 2 months after the blisters and sores have healed"
Extracted from:
http://health.yahoo.com/other-other/hand-foot-and-mouth-disease-home-treatment/healthwise--ty6235.html

3) Here are some general information to share:
Transmission and Incubation Period
HFMD is transmitted from person to person by direct contact with the fluid in the child’s blisters or from direct contact with secretions from their nose and throat. The virus is also present in the child’s faeces, so inadequate hand washing after toileting or changing a nappy can also cause the virus to be spread. Once infection with the HFMD virus has occurred, the time until symptoms appear (incubation period) is usually between three and six days. HFMD is most contagious in the first week after symptoms appear or while there is fluid in the affected child’s blisters. However, the virus can remain present in the faeces for several weeks.
Extracted from:
http://www.southerncross.co.nz/index.cfm?0743A3A8-9C04-4A0B-A412-CFA4E366320C

From MOH:
Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a common childhood disease caused by a group of viruses known as Enteroviruses which includes Coxsackie A16 (CA16) and Enterovirus 71 (EV71). The infection is spread through direct contact with the nasal discharge, saliva, faeces or blister fluid of an infected person and indirectly by contaminated articles. Young children, particularly those aged less than five years, are most susceptible. The infected person can present with the following symptoms:
• fever
• sore throat and runny nose
• rash with blisters on the palms, soles or buttocks
• mouth ulcers
While this disease is typically mild and self-limiting, on rare occasions, complications involving the heart and brain could occur and result in death.

Precautions:
The following is a set of advice to help you and your family to manage HFMD at home.
1. Parents should consult a doctor early if their child has fever, mouth ulcers and rashes on the palms, soles or buttocks.
2. Maintain high standards of personal and environmental hygiene to minimise the spread of HFMD. Parents should ensure that their children adopt the following good practices:
• Wash hands with soap before eating and after going to the toilet;
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing;
• Do not share eating utensils.
• Do not share any food or drinks.

Extracted from:
http://www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/uploadedFiles/Web_Parts/Home/HFMD%20Advisory%20to%20Parents.pdf