Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common infectious disease of infants and children. Symptoms include fever, poor appetite, unwell, non-itchy skin rash and often a sore throat. Sores and ulcers are usually found on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks.

Infection of HFMD virus is transmitted from person to person by direct contact through unwashed, virus-contaminated hands and by contact with virus-contaminated surfaces. There is no specific treatment for HFMD. However, management of the illness is mainly through the symptomatic relief from pain caused by fever, mouth sores and joint aches. Patients are advised to drink adequate fluid​​ to prevent dehydration (lack of body fluids).

HMFD can also cause serious complications such as:-

• Fatique
• Lost of appetite
• Frequently vomiting
• jerky movements
• pale
• Fever (a temperature of 38°C and above)
• Breathing heavily/ strong palpitations of the heart