Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease, a disease we have heard about frequently lately, is an infectious disease caused by Coxsackievirus.
Coxsackievirus is a small-sized, enveloped RNA virus belonging to the Enterovirus genus virus family. This virus, which is actually a small member of a large family, has made its name known most with this disease.
It usually occurs in summer and autumn months, causes short-term epidemics, causes fever and cold symptoms, and then wears gloves on the hands and feet. It is a disease that manifests itself with sock-like rashes. It is a common disease in children aged 10 and under, especially in the first 5 years. This virus, found in the nasal secretions of infected children, is transmitted by close contact. While adults do not develop any symptoms, children may experience symptoms such as fever lasting for 2 days, sore throat, weakness, sores in the mouth, and small red rashes on the palms and soles of the feet. While rashes may not appear in every child, they may cause severe symptoms in some children.
The diagnosis of the disease is made clinically, that is, by examination. There is no special treatment. Treatment is applied for symptoms.
What should be taken into consideration to reduce the spread of the disease?
Avoiding close contact for the first 2-3 days when contagion is highest,
It is necessary to be away for 3-7 days, to rest at home,
Pay attention to the cleanliness of playgrounds,
Acquire the habit of washing hands,
Cleanliness of common items, and avoid close contact with body secretions.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a very contagious, but temporary disease. Since it is a viral infection, it has the ability to heal itself. The treatment given should definitely not be antibiotics. Only a treatment that is prescribed by the pediatrician and tries to soothe the child's complaints should be used.
I wish you all a healthy day.
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