KKWCH CE (children emergency)

The above healthy baby is blessed and healthy... Cutie???

Seeing babies... made me think of...

Good to know...
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD):

Today, I saw an indian baby girl with HFMD... her whole mouth is filled with ulcers and she had blister-like rash over her hands, feet, buttocks, groins and mouth regions. She is running a high fever of about 40 degree celuis for 3 days. Her elder sis also had been diagnosed of HFMD.

She is so uncomfortable till she kept crying and crying even though her mummy is carrying her while waiting to be seen by Doctor. She had runny nose, bad sore throat, vomitting and diarrhoea too...

So what is HFMD???

It is an infectious disease caused by a family of viruses called Enteroviruses, the commonest being the Coxsackie virus and Enterovirus.

It can occur in people from various age groups, especially in pre-schoolers.

It is very common disease in Singapore and has been in existence for many years. It is not a rare or new disease.

It can be easily spread through direct contact with nose discharges, saliva, faeces and fluid from the blisters.

HFMD is usually mild and most children will recover in about a week's time. Only very rarely do certain rare strains of the virus cause complications such as inflammation of the brain and heart.

There is no specific treatment for HFMD.
The symptoms are usually mild and children usually recover well as their own immune system fights off the virus.
Medications liked anti-histamines, panadol and choline sacliycate (for oral ulcers) will be given to control the symptoms.

Meanwhile, much oral fluids intake are strongly encourage as children may not have good appetite because swallowing may be painful.

Thus, adequate fluids intake prevent dehydration.
Diluted fruit juice , rice or barley water can be given every half hourly and about 10 to 30 mls each time throughout the day.
Antibiotics are ineffective because this is a viral, not a bacterial infection.