Hand, foot and mouth disease at its peak, many cases have serious complications

SGGP June 1, 2023 06:49

Recently, children's hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City have been receiving many cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). Medical experts warn that the disease is currently at its peak in the first wave of the year and there have been many cases of serious complications.

Doctors at Children's Hospital 1 examine a child with hand, foot and mouth disease.

At Children’s Hospital 2, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Quy, Deputy Head of the Infectious Diseases Department, said that the department currently has 24 cases requiring inpatient treatment. In addition, the hospital also receives, examines and treats dozens of outpatient cases of TCM every day.

At Children's Hospital 1, Dr. Du Tuan Quy, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases, said that the department is currently treating 14 children with hand and foot lice, including 2 severe cases. The number of hospitalized cases is not high, but the rate of severe progression is up to 30%.

This is worrying because children may face the risk of dangerous complications such as encephalitis, meningitis, pneumonia, and myocarditis.

The obvious signs of HFMD that can be recognized are the rash and two typical signs of a child with severe HFMD are the child is awake but has a fever that does not respond to fever reduction; the child is asleep but is startled and panicked.

“In addition, if you see your child nauseous or vomiting, it is an abnormal sign that the condition is getting worse; or if you see your child with weak arms or legs, you need to take him to the hospital immediately. If you delay, the virus will enter the brain, causing encephalitis, which will be very difficult to treat and cause complications,” said Dr. Du Tuan Quy.

According to Dr. Tran Ngoc Luu, Department of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital 2, many children have recovered from hand and foot lice, but if exposed to the source of infection, they are still at risk of contracting the disease, because children's immunity to hand and foot lice is not sustainable.

Since there is no vaccine, parents should limit their children's contact with sick people. If they are sick, they should keep their children home from school to avoid spreading the disease. Always keep the living environment clean, disinfect contact surfaces and children's toys. Wash hands regularly and remind children to wash their hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet.

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