The main symptoms include sores or small wounds in the mouth, as well as a rash on the hands, feet, and buttocks.
Mouth, hand and foot syndrome is a disease that mainly affects children up to approximately seven years old.
This is an infection, also known as HFMD, that causes sores in the mouth, as well as a rash on the hands and feet.
So far in 2024, at least five cases of mouth, hand and foot syndrome have been detected in the Coquimbo Region.
“Outbreaks of mouth, hand, foot virus have been reported in five kindergartens in the region, affecting 25 children from the commune of La Serena and Coquimbo. All cases are already in the recovery period at home, with medical evaluation and corresponding treatment,” explained Paola Salas, health minister.
What are your symptoms?
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hand, foot, and mouth syndrome is a mild, contagious viral infection that affects young children.
The main symptoms include small sores or wounds in the mouth (tongue, gums and inner cheeks), in addition to a rash on the hands, feet and buttocks.
Another symptomatology associated with this viral infection is fever, sore throat, nauseairritability and loss of appetite.
How is Mouth, Hand and Foot Syndrome transmitted?
As it is a viral infection, this disease is transmitted by contact with droplets containing the virus, produced when a person cough, sneeze or talk.
By touching an infected person or having close contact with them, such as kissing, hugging, or sharing cups, glasses or cutlery, you can obviously also become infected.
What is the treatment for Mouth, Hand and Foot Syndrome?
This sickness does not have a specific treatmentsince discomfort and sores usually disappear on their own after a few days.
Despite this, experts recommend following some guidelines to reduce discomfort, such as maintain hydration or give porridge-based foods to infected children. Pain relievers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen are also prescribed.
When to consult a professional?
- Your child cannot drink drinks as usual and you are concerned that he or she may be becoming dehydrated.
- Your child is not alert and does not respond.
- Your child’s fever lasts more than 3 days.
- Symptoms do not improve after 10 days.
- Your child has a weakened immune system (the body’s ability to fight germs and diseases).
- The symptoms are serious.
- Your child is very young, especially if he/she is less than 6 months old.
