HFMD

Laaaaaaaaamaaaaaaaaaaaa tak update eh?
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Semalam bawa Naufal ke klinik sebab mulut dia tumbuh banyak ulcer... takut kene HFMD. Dan Dr. pun diagnose, memang dia kene HFMD (kaki tangan dan mulut). Balik rumah tersu GOOGLE dan cari info about HFMD... the symtoms, infections, preventions etc.

So far Naufal is doing OK. Dia ada selera makan, tak demam. Cuma mulut ada banyak ulcer dan ada ruam2 di tapak kaki yg nampak merah2 pagi tadi. Hopefully he'll be alright , Insyaallah.

Today Ayah will babysit Naufal, Ummi will be on leave tomorrow and the day after. Naufal is to be quarantined at least for 4 days to get off the virus and prevent it to "jangkit" to other children. But the challenging is how to quarantine him from his brother, Nabil? Semalam pun ada hati nak bergusti dalam sakit2 mulut tu... *sigh*

From the reading, there are some precautions need to be taken care of.

1. No sharing of food utensils, clothes, toys, towels, and anything that directly contacted with him
2. No "jalan-jalan" in public areas...
3. Keep yourself and all family members as hygiene as possible. Wash hands after going to toilets, before handling Naufal, before preparing foods ... wash wash and always wash!
4. Monitor his condition ... make him drink more water to avoid Dehydration since he is not be able to eat normally (mulut dia sakit sbb ulcer... dia makan bubur je ni.. dh 3 hari)

So, parents and friends.. make yourself alert with your childrens' condition. Since I have no idea from where Naufal gets this virus. He's staying at home, no nursery and playschool.

For further reading:

Introduction

What is Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease?
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease(HFMD) is an infection of young children (under the age 10 years old) in which characteristic fluid-filled blisters appear on the hands, feet, and inside the mouth. The throat and tonsils develop small ulcers while the hands, feet, and diaper area develop a rash with characteristic vesicles (very small blisters). This is usually a mild illness with the rash healing in 5 to 7 days.
HFMD is caused by virus (enterovirus group). HFMD is spread from person to person by direct contact with the nasal discharge, saliva, faeces and fluid from the rash of an infected person. Both adults and children can be affected, but young children below five years are particularly susceptible.
HFMD often occurs in clusters of children who are in centres together. It is spread through poor hand-washing after a diaper change or contact with saliva (drool) which allows the virus to be passed from one child to another

Signs and Symptoms

The incubation period is 3 to 7days.
The clinical features includes:-
fever
sore throat
ulcers in the throat, mouth and tongue
Rash with vesicles (small blisters-- 3-7 mm) on hands, feet and diaper area. The vesicles are typically on the palm side of the hands and the sole of the feet and very characteristic in appearance.
headache
loss of appetite
Complications
Usually not serious but few cases can worsen when it involves nervous the system and heart.

Treatment

Diagnosis is made by most practitioners solely on the basis of the unique appearance of blisters of the mouth, hands, and feet, in a child not appearing very ill.
There is no specific treatment for the infection other than symptomatic relief of symptoms.
Treatment with antibiotics is not effective and is not indicated. Acetaminophen can be used to treat fever. Aspirin should not be used in viral illnesses in children under 12 years old.
Salt water mouth rinses (1/2 teaspoon of salt to 1 glass of warm water) may be soothing if the child is able to rinse without swallowing. Ensure an adequate fluid intake because swallowing may be painful. Extra fluid is needed when fever is present.
Advice for parentsParents are advised to consult a doctor early if their child has symptoms of HFMD. They should also be alert to any change in their child's normal behaviour, e.g. irritation and sleepiness. Should they refuse to eat or drink, have persistent vomiting or drowsiness, parents should bring their child immediately to the hospital.
Avoid sending child with sypmtoms to school, pre school or nursery . Wipe and clean nose and mouth and dispose soiled tissue properly.

Prevention

Prevention involves careful attention to hygiene. Family members are advised to follow good hygiene practices, including frequent hand washing, to limit the spread of the infection.
consistent hand-washing practices with clean water and soap before preparing food, after going to toilet, after changing diapers and cleaning faeces.
to cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
discouraging the sharing of clothes, towels, eating and drinking utensils and stuffed toys.
parent should ensure that they are clean before handling children's or babies
to clean toys, chairs and tables if contaminated by children saliva
children should be kept away from crowded public places (such as schools, preschools, play groups, markets and public transport) if they show signs of infection.