singapore flu

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Raja Ahmad Tabib Regional General Hospital in Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands, Wednesday (10/2/2021).

BATAM, KOMPAS — A number of children in the Riau Archipelago have contracted a disease with symptoms similar to Singapore flu or hand, foot and mouth disease. Health workers were dispatched to the field to conduct counseling in affected areas.

The Singapore flu-like case, among others, was found in Batam City. Head of Batam City Health Service Didi Kusmarjadi, Wednesday (6/9/2023), said, since a few weeks ago, 22 cases similar to Singapore flu were found in Batam. Of the 22 cases found, only one patient has not recovered.

The last patient’s blood sample was sent to the Batam Environmental Health Engineering and Disease Control Center (BTKLPP) for research. This is to ascertain whether the patient really has Singapore flu or not.

“In all of these cases, the symptoms were similar, namely there were red rashes on the feet, hands and mouth. Those who suffer from the disease are children aged 5-10 years, “said Didi.

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Batam Health Service Head Didi Kusmarjadi inspects the isolation room at the Batam Authority Hospital, Monday (13/5/2019).

In medical language, Singapore flu is called hand, foot and mouth disease (PTKM). The disease appeared since 1957 in Canada. Year 1997-1999Malaysia and Taiwan were stricken with the disease, followed by an outbreak in Singapore in 2000 (Kompas, 12/4/2011).

The cause of PTKM is a virus called Coxsackie and another group of enteroviruses. The large family of enteroviruses usually live in the enteron or intestine. The virus from the intestine comes out through the feces which then contaminates water and food.

Also read: Batam Beware of Monkey Pox

Transmission can be through direct contact from person to person through splashes of sneezing or coughing fluids, saliva, or feces. Indirect transmission can be through contaminated items, towels, clothes, food equipment, and toys.

Once it enters the body, the virus multiplies in the throat and intestinal walls, then spreads to the targeted organs. The Coxsackie virus and certain enteroviruses prefer the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth so that it is usually the hands, feet and mouth that are attacked.

WIYOGA COMPASS/GUIDE

Two health workers passed the gates of Elisabeth Hospital, Lubuk Baja, Batam, Riau Islands, Tuesday (1/9/2020).

According to Didi, children with PTKM can recover after 7-10 days if there are no complications. Parents whose children have a disease with symptoms similar to PTKM are advised to visit the nearest puskesmas.

“Officers have gone down to the community to socialize the prevention of the disease. A clean lifestyle is the key,” said Didi.

Also read: Lessons from the Second Batch, Hospitals in Riau Islands Anticipate An Increase in Covid-19 Patients Early

In all of these cases, the symptoms were similar, namely there were red rashes on the feet, hands and mouth.

Chairman of the Indonesian Association of Pediatricians (IDAI) Kepri Muhammad Rizqa said a number of children suspected of having PTKM were also found in Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands. He said cases of children suffering from PTKM were indeed found in the Riau Islands every transition season, but this year there were far more cases.

“Every day I take care of about four children who are suspected of having PTKM. This trend has been happening for the last few weeks. Many children in my clinic at Raja Ahmad Tabib Hospital, Tanjung Pinang (are experiencing PTKM symptoms),” said Rizqa.

2023-09-06 06:42:56
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