Hand, foot and mouth disease among kids on the rise in Mumbai

There has been a sudden burst of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease among children, say city doctors. They added that while it takes around a week to 10 days for the patients to recover, the parents need to be extra cautious and maintain hygiene among the kids. They also stressed on the need to keep the patients at home and not let them out to schools or playgrounds, as the disease is contagious.

Dr Fazal Nabi, consultant paediatrician at Wockhardt and Jaslok hospitals, said, "Cases have been increasing over the past 2 weeks and I am seeing 2 to 5 cases daily. Hand, foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious infection caused by viruses from the enterovirus genus, most commonly the coxsackievirus. These viruses can spread from person to person through direct contact with unwashed hands or surfaces contaminated with faeces. It can also be transmitted through contact with a person's saliva, stool, or respiratory secretions."

Decreased appetite, sore throat, headache, irritability, malaise, painful red blisters in mouth or red rash on hands and feet are some of the symptoms. As per experts, it's a seasonal disease and there is nothing to worry if care is taken at the right time. Dr Sudha Rao, head of the paediatric medicine department at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, said, "It is largely seasonal, but can happen other times too."

Dr Vaidehi Dande, child specialist and neonatologist at Symbiosis Hospital, who has been seeing 1-2 cases daily for the past week said, "There is a sudden outburst, as I have not seen any cases in the past 6 months. Keeping children inside the home and away from other kids is important during this time, especially till the time the lesions are dried."

Doctors added that lifting of curbs and opening up of schools and playgrounds is playing a part in the rise in cases. Dr Tanu Singhal, Consultant, Paediatrics and Infectious Disease at Kokilaben hospital, said, "In the past two years, I didn't see patients suffering from this disease, but now that all restrictions are gone and kids are going to nursery, playgroup, and schools, there is a rise in cases."

Experts added that the disease is mainly reported in children aged below 5 years. Dr Subhash Rao, consultant paediatrician at Fortis Hospital, Vashi, said, "Kids are more prone to this disease as their immunity is still developing, so they are more susceptible to infection than adults. Parents should take their kids to paediatricians and should not allow them to go outside to stop the spread of the virus. Keeping them hydrated and maintaining hygiene are very important steps to control the infection." He added that he has seen around 10 cases in the past week.

Symptoms
>> Decreased appetite
>> Sore throat
>> Headache
>> Irritability
>> Malaise
>> Red blisters in mouth
>> Red rash on hands and feet

Note to Parents
>> If you see any of the symptoms in your child, take them to paediatrician
>> Keep them home till they recover to stop the spread of the disease