SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Loss of appetite
• Painful mouth ulcers (including on gums and tongue)
• Skin rash and blister on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet as well as buttock or nappy area.

HFMD is usually not serious and patients normally recover on their own without medical treatment within 7 – 10 days. However, complications can sometimes occur where patients will need intensive treatment in hospital.

TRANSMISSION
HFMD is a moderately contagious disease. It is transmitted through direct contact with nose and throat discharges, saliva, fluid from blisters and the stool of infected persons. A person is most contagious during the first week of the illness.

TREATMENT
There is no specific treatment for HFMD. Treatment given is usually to provide relief from fever, aches or pain from the mouth ulcers. Measures that can be taken include:
 

• Ensure that your child rest at home until fully recovered.
• Do not send your child to school or day care centre until he or she is well.
• Avoid sharing eating utensils with other family members.
• Ensure that patients drink a lot of water to prevent dehydration.
• Taking medication such as panadol to relieve fever and sore throats.
• Using oral gel to relieve the pain from mouth ulcers.
• The skin rash on the hands and feet is usually not itchy and does not require any treatment.

Please bring your child to see a doctor at the nearest Health Centre or Hospital if your child has HFMD symptoms.

There is no vaccine to prevent HFMD. 

• Always maintain personal hygiene, especially children ages 5 and below.
• Wash your hands after going to the toilet, after changing or handling dirty nappies and before eating.
• Do no share your personal items with others
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean all contaminated surfaces and wash all items handled by infected children; make sure that their toys are always clean.
• Avoid bringing your children to crowded places.

REMINDER
Place consult a doctor immediately or go to nearest Accident and Emergency Department if your child has the following symptoms and signs of complications:

• Prolonged fever
• Drowsiness and malaise
• Irritability
• Repeated vomiting and loss of appetite
• Shortness of breath
• Increased heart rate
• Abdominal distension
• Not passing urine
• Weakness of lower legs
• Muscle jerks
• Abnormal eye movements