Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Cases Surge in Kolkata

Post dengue, Kolkata now faces a new challenge: a rise in hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) among children.

Highlights:

Kolkata children face an increasing threat from the highly contagious hand, foot, and mouth disease post the dengue outbreak
Common symptoms include fever, mouth sores, and severe rashes, making swallowing difficult for the young ones
Doctors advise keeping affected children home from school and ensuring they stay hydrated, expecting the outbreak to last until October

Children in Kolkata are being infected by the extremely contagious hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) as a result of the dengue outbreak. Doctors across the city began receiving stray cases shortly after the monsoon began, and the numbers are now rapidly increasing. While the infection is usually self-limiting, some instances, particularly in younger children, become problematic and necessitate hospitalization.

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‘Alert! Kolkata sees a surge in hand, foot, and mouth disease cases among children. Be informed about its symptoms and the necessary preventive steps. Ensure your child's safety. #HFMDoutbreak #childhealth’

Symptoms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Fever, mouth sores, and severe and itchy rashes on the hands, feet, and buttocks are all symptoms of the infection. Rashes in the mouth can make swallowing difficult and uncomfortable ().

“The infection is mild generally but is highly contagious. The mouth ulcer can be quite painful causing difficulty in eating. It affects mostly school-going children who pass the infection to one another. While the infection is self-limiting, it can last for about five to seven days and a child can get re-infection,” said pediatric rheumatologist Priyankar Pal of the Institute of Child Health, Kolkata.

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Treatment of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

There is no specific treatment for this viral illness, which is most commonly caused by Coxsackievirus.

“We are getting an increasing number of HFMD cases. There is treatment only for symptomatic relief. While the virus is not very toxic, some children, especially younger ones, may refuse food and water due to pain in swallowing that may cause dehydration,” said Dibyendu Raychaudhuri, associate professor of paediatrics at Medical College Hospital, Kolkata.

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Preventive Measures of the Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Outbreak

Doctors advised concerned youngsters not to attend school for at least a week to contain the spread. Parents should also encourage their children to drink plenty of water to ensure adequate rehydration.

According to doctors, the HFMD outbreak will last through October 2023.

Reference:

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431082/)

Source-Medindia

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