Increase in spread of hand, foot and mouth disease among children: Pediatrician

• Children urged to wear face masks as a preventive measure

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama   
There is an increase in the spread of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) among schoolchildren, Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) Consultant Pediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said.   

He told the Daily Mirror that parents should keep in mind not to send their children to schools, daycare centres or public places if they have symptoms of 
these diseases.   
However, the doctor mentioned that there is an increase in childhood wheezing because of the current rainy weather.   
It is also said that there is a spread of HFMD among children.   
He also requested parents to be cautious if the children have symptoms like small, oval, white blisters on the palms and soles of the feet, as well as in the mouth or if there is a red skin rash with a brown scale on it or if the rash appears on the outer arms, hands, legs, feet, around the mouth or upper buttocks.   

“The trunk is usually relatively clear. Sometimes there are blisters present, but they are not usually in the mouth, and your child can eat and drink as usual,” Dr. Perera said.   
The blisters should not be itchy, like chickenpox blisters. If your child has eczema, the HFMD can cause it to worsen and potentially become infected with bacteria.   
Also, he requested parents to provide face masks to children to prevent any spreading and infection.   
“HFMD is most commonly caused by the Coxsackie virus. The main way HFMD spreads is through contact with the fluid from inside the blisters or with the droplets spread from sneezing and coughing. The virus can also be present in bowel movements (excrement) for up to several weeks after the person has recovered.   
Moreover, he said diseases like Covid, dengue, wheezing, upper respiratory infection symptoms including coughing, runny nose, sneezing and throat pain, and several viral infections are spreading these days among children.