Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease
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HEALTH SERVICES Hand, foot, and mouth disease, or HFMD, is a contagious illness that is caused by different viruses. HFMD is usually not serious. The illness is typically mild, and nearly all patients recover in 7 to 10 days without medical treatment. What is hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD)? Hand, foot, and mouth disease, or HFMD, is a contagious illness that is caused by different viruses. Infants and children younger than 5 years old are more likely to get this disease. However, older children and adults can also get it. HFMD causes fever, blisters in the mouth, and body rash. In the United States it is more common for people to get HFMD from spring to fall. How is HFMD spread? HFMD is contagious and is spread through direct contact with an infected person’s nose and mouth secretions (saliva, sputum, nasal mucous), fluid from blisters, and stool. It can also be spread through contact with contaminated objects and surfaces. Generally, an infected person is most contagious during the first week of illness. What are the symptoms of HFMD? HFMD usually starts with a fever, poor appetite, general malaise (not feeling well), and sore throat. One or 2 days after the fever starts, painful sores will usually develop in the mouth. What begins as small blisters, turn into ulcers. Then, a red rash usually develops on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The rash can be either flat or raised, and is non-itchy. It can also appear on the knee, buttocks, and genital area. An infected person may not experience all symptoms. How is HFMD prevented? A person can lower their risk of being infected with HFMD by frequent hand washing with soap and water, especially after changing diapers or going to the bathroom, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and toys, and avoiding close contact (kissing, hugging, sharing utensils) with an infected person. School Exclusion Policy: Children do not need to be excluded from school, unless they have a fever of 100 degrees or more. Children must be fever free for 24 hours, without the use of fever reducing medication, before returning to school. If you suspect your child may be ill, contact your child’s pediatrician or family doctor. Please notify the school nurse of any confirmed contagious illness. For more information about HFMD, please visit the Center for Disease Control & Prevention- http://www.cdc.gov/features/handfootmouthdisease/.
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Two cases of hand, foot and mouth disease were confirmed at New Caney Elementary School on Oct. 21. District officials released information about the disease and precautions parents should take.
Transcript of Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease
HEALTH SERVICES
Hand, foot, and mouth disease, or HFMD, is a contagious illness that is caused by different viruses. HFMD is usually not serious. The illness is typically mild, and nearly all patients recover in 7 to 10 days without medical treatment. What is hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD)? Hand, foot, and mouth disease, or HFMD, is a contagious illness that is caused by different viruses. Infants and children younger than 5 years old are more likely to get this disease. However, older children and adults can also get it. HFMD causes fever, blisters in the mouth, and body rash. In the United States it is more common for people to get HFMD from spring to fall. How is HFMD spread? HFMD is contagious and is spread through direct contact with an infected person’s nose and mouth secretions (saliva, sputum, nasal mucous), fluid from blisters, and stool. It can also be spread through contact with contaminated objects and surfaces. Generally, an infected person is most contagious during the first week of illness. What are the symptoms of HFMD? HFMD usually starts with a fever, poor appetite, general malaise (not feeling well), and sore throat. One or 2 days after the fever starts, painful sores will usually develop in the mouth. What begins as small blisters, turn into ulcers. Then, a red rash usually develops on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The rash can be either flat or raised, and is non-itchy. It can also appear on the knee, buttocks, and genital area. An infected person may not experience all symptoms. How is HFMD prevented? A person can lower their risk of being infected with HFMD by frequent hand washing with soap and water, especially after changing diapers or going to the bathroom, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and toys, and avoiding close contact (kissing, hugging, sharing utensils) with an infected person. School Exclusion Policy: Children do not need to be excluded from school, unless they have a fever of 100 degrees or more. Children must be fever free for 24 hours, without the use of fever reducing medication, before returning to school. If you suspect your child may be ill, contact your child’s pediatrician or family doctor. Please notify the school nurse of any confirmed contagious illness. For more information about HFMD, please visit the Center for Disease Control & Prevention-http://www.cdc.gov/features/handfootmouthdisease/.
