Warning of hand, foot and mouth disease in Nghe An

(Baonghean.vn) - Over the past month, Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital has treated 809 children with hand, foot and mouth disease.

The number of children with hand, foot and mouth disease in Nghe An is increasing. Photo: Khanh Huyen

Statistics from Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital: From September 1 to October 9, 2017, the Tropical Diseases Department admitted 809 children with hand, foot and mouth disease, of which 199 patients had to be hospitalized, many of whom had severe infections that were difficult to treat. Currently, the number of patients with hand, foot and mouth disease is still on the rise.

The increasing trend stems from the changing seasons, from hot to rainy, with large temperature differences during the day, and erratic sunshine and rain. In this weather, children with weak immune systems and poor resistance are susceptible to bacteria and viruses.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by Enterovirus and Coxsackieviruses. This disease is transmitted mainly through the digestive tract, from person to person, so the possibility of infection due to accidental contact with a sick person is very high and very fast.

Children with hand, foot and mouth disease often have symptoms of mild fever initially, accompanied by sore throat, mouth pain, drooling and loss of appetite. In the child's mouth there may be red ulcers like canker sores (mainly on the palate, inside the lips, tongue). Blisters also appear on the child's palms, soles, knees and buttocks. In severe cases, it can lead to lethargy, tremors in the limbs, muscle twitching, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing...

When children have hand, foot and mouth disease, they need to be taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment. Photo: Khanh Huyen

Currently, the weather is unpredictable and the new school year has just begun, and there is no specific vaccine to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease, so preventing the spread of hand, foot and mouth disease is even more difficult.

Schools and parents need to be proactive in disease prevention and health care for children. When children show symptoms such as fatigue, high fever, lethargy, loss of consciousness, etc., they need to be taken to the hospital immediately, wash their hands with soap many times a day, eat cooked food, drink boiled water, clean eating utensils before use, and do not let children come into contact with sick or suspected sick people. For children going to kindergarten, they must be isolated if they are sick, toys should be washed regularly, and the floor should be cleaned.

Doctors recommend: Most cases are mild, however in some cases, the disease can progress severely, causing dangerous complications such as encephalitis, myocarditis, pulmonary edema, leading to death. Therefore, everyone and every household needs to strengthen prevention and control work to proactively prevent the spread and minimize the number of cases.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by an intestinal virus and cannot be treated with conventional antibiotics. Parents should consult a doctor before treatment. Children should be taken to the hospital for examination and treatment when the signs of hand, foot and mouth disease are severe./.

Khanh Hien