Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases are on the rise once again parents.
The Ministry of Health reports a 266% rise compared to the same period last year, with 99,601 cases recorded nationwide.
It’s time to be extra vigilant to protect your little ones and your family from this highly infectious disease.
With young children being most at risk, it’s becoming even more important for mums and dads to be on the lookout for symptoms and to take the necessary measures to curb the spread of HFMD in Malaysia.
This starts with a small refresher, and what you need to do if your little one comes home with those telltales rashes on their body.
Here’s Your HFMD Crash Course
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease or HFMD is a common viral illness that primarily affects children under five years old.
Because of how easily it spreads, childcare settings like preschools and kindergartens are usually the most at risk for being hotbeds of viral infection.
Other than the blisters (which are fluid-filled and not itchy), HFMD also presents as other symptoms.
It starts of as a fever before eventually resulting in mouth sores, and rashes or blisters on hands, feet, and buttocks.
Other symptoms like loss of appetite and fatigue may accompany the illness.
Most children recover within 7 to 10 days. Serious complications are rare unless your child has preexisting conditions or autoimmune disorders.
If so, you may need to take extra precaution to ensure the illness does not come anywhere near them.
While adults rarely get it, HFMD has been known to infect grown-ups and the symptoms are usually more severe but again, rarely fatal or life-threatening.
HFMD is highly transmissible, that is the reason why cases easily surge within the span of a few weeks.
The HFMD virus spreads primarily through close contact, passing from person to person through bodily fluids (saliva, mucous, blister fluid etc) and respiratory aerosols (coughing, sneezing and even talking and breathing).
However, the most dangerous thing about HFMD is that children can still spread the virus even if they don’t show symptoms.
Therefore, even if your child looks and feels okay, it’s important to take them out of school if there have been cases (at least until you’re sure they don’t have the virus).
If in the unfortunate event your child does contract the virus, read our article on how to manage HFMD.
HFMD Prevention Tips for Parents and Schools
Schools are primarily responsible for keeping on top of HFMD cases. Enforcing social distancing, strict personal hygiene protocols and when necessary, school closures.
However, parents can also take action.
If you notice that your child’s preschool or kindergarten is not taking good enough precautions despite high cases among their students, you can discuss with your child’s teacher on how to strengthen their preventative measures.
Here are the golden rules on how to reduce the risk of HFMD from spreading to your kids and to other children:
- House arrest: If your child shows symptoms, let them rest at home until fully recovered. This also excludes all outings to the park, shopping mall or restaurants. Even if your child feels a little bit better,
- Good hygiene: Personal hygiene is paramount in stopping the spread of HFMD (and really all infectious diseases). Encourage your child to frequently wash their hands with soap and water. Teach them the proper protocols of handwashing if they are not yet familiar.
- Sanitisation: In the same vein as good hygiene, it’s important to regularly disinfect your home. Regularly clean your child’s toys, surfaces such as floors, and common areas in homes. Your child’s school should also observe this.
- No Sharing: We all know sharing is caring, but this is one of the few times when you have to re-educate your child. When infectious diseases are on the rise, sharing can be a bit dangerous. Especially when it involves personal objects like utensils, cups, or towels.
- Monitor for symptoms: Finally, monitor your child for warning signs. Be vigilant for signs of HFMD, especially during outbreaks. But of course, this does come with the caveat mentioned above (HFMD can still be infectious even if there are no symptoms).
Schools and childcare centers should:
- Conduct daily health checks: Screen children for symptoms upon arrival.
- Isolate affected individuals: Promptly separate and send home any child showing symptoms.
- Inform parents: Communicate promptly about any cases in the facility.
- Enhance cleaning protocols: Increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting routines.
Stay Informed
Parents need to stay updated with the latest information on HFMD cases.
Pay attention to any news or reports from the Ministry of Health and local health authorities. Early detection and preventive measures are key to controlling the spread of HFMD among school-going children.
For more detailed guidelines, refer to the Ministry of Health’s HFMD guidelines.
By working together, parents and educators can help protect children from HFMD.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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