Pediatricians in the D.C. area are reporting an uptick in cases of hand, foot and mouth disease at day cares.
The viral illness is common among children under age 5 but anyone can get it. Symptoms include a fever, sore throat and a red rash in the areas in its name.
“When kids have hand, foot and mouth disease, they get mouth sores that can be really painful, and so they may not want to eat or drink, so it’s very important for parents to make sure their kids stay hydrated,” said Dr. Christina Johns, a pediatric emergency physician with IKS Health in Annapolis.
Most patients have minor symptoms for seven to 10 days and typically recover at home. Tylenol and ibuprofen can help manage the fever and pain.
“In some children, after the infection, so, weeks after the infection resolves, the inflammatory process can actually cause the nails to fall off. They will come back. It is harmless but very dramatic to see,” Johns said.
Doctors typically see hand, foot and mouth disease at this time of year, in the summer and early fall. It’s not clear what’s driving the recent increase.
It’s very contagious and spreads through contaminated surfaces and particles in the air when someone coughs, sneezes or talks.
How to prevent the spread of hand, foot and mouth disease
Here’s how Johns said to keep the virus from spreading:
- wash your hands often
- clean and disinfect surfaces
- avoid close contact with others
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say children with hand, foot and mouth may return to school or day care as long as they don’t have a fever, have no uncontrolled drooling because of mouth sores and feel well enough to participate in class.
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