Children are very much prone to acquiring different diseases and illnesses. One of these is the Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD). The causative agent of the said disease is a virus, coming in the form of enteroviruses, such as the coxsackie virus A16 (Sarawak Health, n. d. ). Hand, foot and Mouth disease that is most rampant among children, especially those under ten years old. Upon acquiring the virus, the infected child suffers from a terrible headache, accompanied by sore throat and fever.
Soon after, the child starts to lose his appetite with food, and rashes become visible in the different parts of the body, especially the area of the diaper. This may also accompany blisters found in the hands and feet, and may be painful when given pressure. Ulcers in the mouth, tongue, throat, and tonsils also become visible (American Accreditation Health Care Commission (A. D. A. M. , May 27, 2008). Unlike other diseases, Hand-foot-and-mouth disease had several cases all over the world.
The virus is usually rampant during the humid days, like summer, and continues on until the fall. This disease, like many others, attacks people from all walks of life. Although children under the age of ten are most likely susceptible to the disease, adults may also be inflicted. This is primarily due to the fact that antibodies actually help in the defense against certain bacteria and viruses such as the coxsackie virus. Direct contact with the inflicted patient is the most common mode of transmission.
Patients who have acquired the disease are most likely to spread the virus during the first week of their contamination (National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease: Division of Viral Diseases, June 5, 2008). Since the said disease is a viral infection, no treatment has been effective. Instead, the doctors usually advise their patients to rest, and have a lot of fluid intake, such as milk. Pain relievers, such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol), and Ibuprofen (Advil) are given to patients whenever the blisters and other parts of the body hurt.
Other than that, nothing much is given to the patient (Mayo Clinic Staff, August 23, 2007). The prevention of the said disease is relatively easy. For starters, it is best to stay away from people who have contacted the disease. Another, yet simple way, is to always keep the body clean from dirt and other pollutants, by washing the hands and practicing proper hygiene. A patient who has been infected with the said disease normally experiences the symptoms three to seven days after being inflicted. Usually, the child experiences fever, and this is followed by rashes, then blisters (Sarawak Health, n.d. ). Furthermore, patients usually recover independently, even without medication seven to ten days after being contaminated. Complications to Hand-foot-and mouth disease are very rare, and should be given medical attention. One of the known complications is Viral Meningitis, and requires patients to be hospitalized for a period of time (National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease: Division of Viral Diseases, June 5, 2008).
Works Cited
American Accreditation Health Care Commission(A. D. A. M. ). “Hand-foot-mouth Disease. ” 27 May 2008. Medline Plus.23 June 2008 < http://www. nlm. nih. gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000965. htm> “Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD). ” 5 June 2008. National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease: Division of Viral Diseases. 23 June 2008 < http://www. cdc. gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/enterovirus/hfhf. htm> Mayo Clinic Staff. “Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease. ” 23 August 2007. Mayo Clinic. 23 June 2008 < http://www. mayoclinic. com/health/hand-foot-and-mouth-disease/DS00599> “Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease. ” Sarawak Health. 23 June 2008 < http://www. sarawak. health. gov. my/hfmd. htm>