Doctors Warn About Rise in Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Cases
New York, NY – Health officials are alerting the public to a recent increase in cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), a common viral illness particularly affecting young children. While typically mild,the infection can be painful and requires careful management,experts say.
HFMD is characterized by fever, mouth sores, and a rash on the hands and feet. Though unpleasant, most individuals recover at home with supportive care, such as over-the-counter fever reducers. “While the virus certainly can be gruesome, and often painful, most people do recover at home with the help of symptomatic care,” explained a leading physician.
Crucially, antibiotics are ineffective against HFMD as it is caused by a virus.”No antibiotics are going to get rid of it,” stated dr. Agwu, emphasizing the importance of understanding the illness’s viral nature.
Preventing the spread of HFMD relies heavily on hygiene and isolation. “If you or your children do get sick, you should ’try to avoid spreading it to anyone else,'” advised Dr. Thomas. Individuals experiencing symptoms should isolate themselves to limit transmission. Maintaining adequate hydration and nutrition is also vital during recovery. The typical duration of the illness is around one week, though severe cases with numerous mouth ulcers may take up to 10 to 14 days to fully resolve.
While most cases are mild, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention.”If you aren’t able to hydrate, or keep your sick child hydrated, you should seek medical care,” Dr.Thomas cautioned. Difficulty eating is another indicator that medical intervention may be necesary.
Rarely, HFMD can lead to more serious complications. Dr.Duchon highlighted the importance of monitoring for signs of heart involvement. “If you’ve had hand, foot, and mouth and afterwards, or towards the end of the illness, you’re feeling really, really tired or having trouble breathing, those are things that are really serious to look for that can mean that the heart has been affected.That’s a very rare but serious complication.”
The most effective preventative measure remains diligent hand-washing. Maintaining good hygiene practices is a simple yet powerful way to protect yourself and others from contracting this highly infectious virus.
