Bangkok: For parents, nothing is more disheartening than seeing their child with a high fever and refusing to eat anything. Even more alarming is if, upon examining their mouth, you find it covered in small sores – a warning sign that your child may be suffering from Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), a common illness that often affects children during the rainy season.
According to Thai News Agency, this disease is caused by viruses called Enteroviruses, of which there are many different strains. Hand, foot, and mouth disease is commonly found in children under 5-10 years old. It’s easy to spot: your child will have a fever along with small, clear blisters on the palms, soles, and in the mouth. Most cases are caused by the Coxsackie A16 strain, which is usually not severe and will resolve on its own within 7-10 days.
Although most cases resolve on their own, if HFMD is caused by the EV71 (Enterovirus 71) strain, this virus can spread to the brain. If your child has symptoms such as a persistent fever, lethargy, unsteady gait, severe vomiting, or shortness of breath, you must take them to the hospital immediately because it can lead to brainstem inflammation, heart failure, or pulmonary edema, which are life-threatening.
The incubation period for this disease is very short, only 3-5 days before symptoms appear. It’s highly contagious through nasal discharge, saliva, fluid from blisters, and feces. Children most often contract the virus by directly touching their mouths with contaminated hands, such as sharing toys at preschool or daycare, or through coughing and sneezing. The first week of illness is the most contagious period, and the virus can also remain hidden in a child’s stool for several weeks after recovery.
These viruses are quite resilient to the surrounding environment. Alcohol and regular hand sanitizers do not kill it. Protein can be stored in an air-conditioned room or in substances containing protein, such as milk, cream, or ice cream, for several days. However, pasteurized milk is safe. The virus is sensitive to sunlight, dryness, and heat, with effective chemicals including chlorine solution or formalin.
The immunity the body builds is specific to the strain that was recently contracted, so the disease can recur. Since these viruses can survive for several weeks, a child can be infected with another strain after recovering from one.
To cope, parents are advised to emphasize hygiene by teaching children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water, as alcohol-based hand sanitizer isn’t sufficient. Separate belongings if there are multiple children, provide soft foods to reduce pain and prevent dehydration, and keep children home from school if they start to have a fever or rash to reduce the spread of infection.