Hand Foot Mouth Disease
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common viral disease that usually affects children between the ages of 2 and 10, especially children under the age of 5, but can sometimes occur in adults. The disease is frequently seen in the summer and autumn months, and the season in which the disease is seen varies with the change of seasonal characteristics with global warming.
Although hand, foot and mouth disease is seen in all countries of the world, it is more severe in tropical regions and regions with low hygiene.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by viruses of the enterovirus type. The disease most often occurs with enterovirus 71 or coxsaki virus A group 16
What are the Symptoms?
Hand, foot and mouth disease usually begins with fever (38-39 degrees), loss of appetite, a vague malaise and sore throat. There may be abdominal pain and cough. 1-2 days after the onset of fever, a painful, water-filled rash called herpangina occurs in the mouth. The rash usually begins as small red spots on the back of the mouth, then turns into blisters filled with water, and often the shell bursts and ulcerates. Skin rashes develop after 1-2 days. The rash that starts as flat red dots on the palms on the soles of the feet and hands, then collects water. Sometimes rashes can also occur on the knees, elbows, buttocks, or genital area. Rashes on hands and feet usually heal spontaneously within 5-7 days.
Especially young children may have difficulty drinking water due to the painful sores in their mouths and dehydration may occur.
Although it is called Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease, rash may not always be seen in all these areas. It can develop only as mouth sores or just as skin rashes.
How Is It Transmitted?
It can be transmitted by inhalation, saliva, close contact and feces. The opening of the pool season in the summer and the ingestion of infected pool water pose a separate risk. With the intensifying viruses, the disease can also turn into an epidemic. Therefore, it is a great duty for mothers and fathers to make their children gain the habit of washing their hands frequently.
How Is It Diagnosed?
A detailed medical history and physical examination, characteristic rashes on the mouth, hands and feet are usually sufficient to diagnose the disease. Differential diagnosis should be made with diseases such as aphthous stomatitis, chickenpox, erythema multiforme and herpes simplex. Usually, no lab work is required. The leukocyte count is between 4000-16,000 / ml. Occasionally, atypical lymphocytes are present. Recent studies show that C-reactive protein (CRP) and fasting blood glucose are significantly higher in severe cases than in mild cases. In samples taken from areas where the virus is likely to be found (nose-throat swab, stool, rash fluids …), the virus can be isolated by PCR method or antibodies (immune system response) against viruses (coxackie, enterovirus …) that cause disease in the blood can be detected.
How is it treated?
There is no specific treatment or vaccine for the disease. Treatments can be applied for the complaints of sick people and for complications, if any.
What are the Ways of Protection?
The disease can be prevented by avoiding contact with sick individuals and paying attention to some basic cleaning rules.
- Hands should be washed with soap and water, especially after using the toilet or changing a diaper, before preparing food or eating.
- Care should be taken for the surface cleanliness of all materials used, including toys.
- Close contact with patients (such as kissing, hugging…) and the use of common plates and cups should be avoided.
- It is very important to wash hands frequently and not to rub dirty hands on mouth and face.
- Since it is contagious, people suffering from hand-foot-mouth disease should be avoided.
It is necessary to ventilate common living areas frequently and to allow fresh air to enter. - Daily cleaning of ambient surfaces should be provided in schools and nurseries.
The most effective method against hand-foot-mouth disease is hygiene. If the necessary hygiene and cleaning rules are followed, the risk of hand-foot-mouth disease is reduced. Trainings on hand, foot and mouth diseases are planned and implemented by the Public Health Directorates for health personnel and the public in line with the needs.
Who is in the Risk Group?
School, kindergarten, etc. Being in public living areas, opening the pool season in summer and ingesting infected pool water pose a separate risk.
