Important Facts about Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
Do you know HFMD is a viral infection and can cause symptoms like:
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Feeling of being unwell (malaise)
- Painful, red, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks
- A red rash, without itching but sometimes with blistering, on the palms, soles and sometimes the buttocks
- Irritability in infants and toddlers
- Loss of appetite
Do you know HFMD can spread through:
- saliva
- fluid from blisters
- feces
- respiratory droplets sprayed into the air after coughing or sneezing
Fluids from Blisters (
Do you know symptomatic relief method and preventions for HFMD?
- Seek AA pharmacists for OTC recommendations
- Topical ointments to soothe blisters and rashes medicated syrups or lozenges to ease painful sore throats
- Suck on ice or popsicles
- Avoid citrus fruits, fruit drinks, and soda
- Regular hand-washing using hot water and soap.
- Disinfect any common areas in your home on a regular basis
- Avoid close
contact such as hugging and kissing - No sharing cups, eating utensils, towels
- Stay home from school or work if
child experiences sore throats or fever
Do you know you should refer to the doctor immediately when the child is:
- unable to tolerate oral feeds
- clinically very ill or toxic-looking
- persistent high fever (e.g >38ºC) for >48 hours;
- suspicion of complications including irregular heart rate and increased drowsiness