Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common viral illness that usually affects infants and children younger than 5 years old. However, it can sometimes occur in adults. It usually starts with a fever, reduces appetite, sore throat, and a feeling of being unwell. One or two days later, painful sores can develop in the mouth, on the palm of the hands and sole of the feet.
Hand, foot and mouth disease spreads from an infected person to others through:
- Close contact, such as kissing, hugging, or sharing cups and eating utensils,
- Coughing and sneezing,
- Contact with faeces, for example when changing a diaper,
- Contact with blister fluid,
- Touching objects or surfaces that have the virus on them.
Prevention
Following healthy habits can stop the spread of the infection:
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
- If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
- Wash your hands with soap and water, especially after changing diapers and using the toilet, for 20 seconds or long enough to sing the birthday song twice.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rubs.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill.
- Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with people (hand, foot and mouth disease)
- Stay out of school/work
- Seek medical advice.