HAND, FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE

Q My 2-year old has little red dots on his hands. How do

I know if this is the start of the dreaded hand, foot and mouth disease? What are the symptoms I should be on the look-out for, how contagious is it, and is it dangerous?

A DR COMBRINK ANSWERS: Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common viral infection among children under 5 years of age. The most common causes are the Coxsackievirus and the enterovirus. Symptoms appear three to six days after exposure and include fever, nausea and vomiting, as well as tiredness and irritability. This is followed by a skin rash around the mouth, on the palms of the hands and on the soles and sometimes also in the nappy area and genitals. The rash usually starts off as flat red dots or bumps that increase and form blisters. It is usually self limiting and disappears within seven to 10 days. A diagnosis will be made based on the rash and symptoms, and extra tests are seldom necessary.

The illness is spread when children are in direct contact with spit, poo or slime from an infected person. Spots where these substances do occur – like

nappy-changing stations – are high risk. It is more common among children who attend daycare or playschool. Preventative measures include good hand hygiene and disinfecting highrisk surfaces. Complications of hand, foot and mouth disease are rare and can include the following:

• Dehydration, because painful sores in the mouth make feeding difficult.

• Encephalitis (infection of the brain) or meningo-encephalitis (infection of the brain membranes).

• Myocarditis (infection of the heart muscle).

• Temporary loss of fingernails and toenails.

Treatment is mainly aimed at symptomatic relief and includes pain relief and enough fluids.

Consult your doctor if your child is unusually irritable or struggling to drink. ●