DOHA: Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has urged the public to practise good personal hygiene to prevent themselves and their children from contracting contagious diseases such as hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).
The common viral illness usually affects infants and children under five and is rarely seen in adults. It is unusual, but possible, to get HFMD more than once.
While it can be an unpleasant condition, especially for young children, it does not usually pose a serious threat to health.
HFMD can occur at any time of the year but is most common in the summer and fall.
HMC’s Senior Consultant in Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Dr Hussam Al Soub (pictured), said, “HFMD usually starts with a fever, poor appetite, a vague feeling of being sick (malaise) and a sore throat.
“Symptoms include fever (high temperature), blister-like sores in the mouth and skin rash. The rash is usually on the palms and soles; it may also appear elsewhere on the limbs and buttocks.
“Those infected with the virus may not experience all symptoms.”
There is no specific anti-viral therapy and no vaccine has been developed against it.
A person with HFMD is highly contagious until about a week after symptoms appear. The virus is normally acquired about three days before symptoms appear and HFMD is thought to remain infectious until the associated rash disappears.
Those with the condition should be excluded from group settings, including being kept home from school or nursery.
The virus is spread by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, blisters and faeces, including through diapers and contaminated objects and surfaces.
“A person can lower their risk of getting HFMD by frequent hand washing and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and soiled items, including toys, and by avoiding close contact or sharing eating utensils or cups with affected people,” said Dr Al Soub.
Teaching children good hand washing habits can be a challenge. There are techniques to encourage kids to understand the importance of good hand hygiene, including hand washing songs, posters, stickers, reward charts, videos and orchestrated campaigns. The Peninsula
