Enteroviral vesicular stomatitis syndrome hand foot mouth

Syndrome hand-foot-mouth – is enteroviral vesicular stomatitis with exanthema, the typical localization in the oral cavity, the arms (affects the palms) and feet (affects the foot).

According to the literature, informed a viral disease with an unusual name in the world killed hundreds of people. In our time, the syndrome hand-foot-mouth or enteroviral vesicular stomatitis primarily affects preschool children. Transmitted diseases faeces, saliva and contact with the source of the disease. The disease is insidious in that it can be confusing to doctors in respect of other diseases. Enteroviral vesicular stomatitis in children manifests as something between an Allergy to citrus and cold sores.

Early in the disease the child is suffering from a high temperature to 40 º C, like the flu, which lasts for about 2 days, and muscle aches. Then starts to RUB the surface of the skin, can appear in different manifestations on the mucous membranes. Affected, especially the area around the mouth, the mouth, the hand (palm) and foot (feet), hips and buttocks. Antibiotics have no effect on the disease, but without complications the treatment lasts about 10 days. Treatment involves medication to reduce fever, and rashes dry alcohol solutions. If the rash becomes inflamed, can be treated with antibiotic ointment.

Before this disease knew nothing

Our mothers and grandmothers say that about some of the diseases of children today have not even heard of. One of them is the syndrome hand-foot-mouth or enteroviral stomatitis.

If your child is "showered" around the mouth, on the palms and soles, there is a high probability that it affected the syndrome hand-foot-mouth. Vesicular stomatitis in children is usually accompanied by moderate fever, loss of appetite and lethargy. Despite the fact that the baby's skin is not pleasant, it goes about a common childhood disease that is relatively harmless. No need to take antibiotics and make specific therapeutic measures and treatment. However, the child cannot visit the team because the disease is very contagious. In addition, it is desirable to wash the toys with which the baby played, and the whole house with the addition of disinfectant.

Children often contract the disease in summer, on the Playground, in the pool, shopping houses and Department stores, cinemas and other similar places where accumulates a large number of people. At the time, as in winter, this infection is a disease of abnormal, in spring and autumn they can meet, although less frequently than in summer. It is spread by airborne droplets, through dirty hands, which the child does not wash, for example, after using the toilet or after playing in the sandbox, and also by direct contact with an infected person.

The incubation period is relatively short – three to six days. The cause of the disease are caused by enteroviruses, most often Coxsackie A16. The infection can affect adults and, quite possibly, what if the child gets infected, the symptoms can occur and his or her parents or other adults who are in contact with him. Most often, however, the disease affects toddlers and preschool age.

The occurrence of the disease and the clinical picture

The child, especially in the team, might suddenly crumble to the area around the mouth, hands and leg (or, what happens most often, both legs). These skin changes may be accompanied by fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. This is the first symptoms of hand-foot-mouth.

General characteristic

Causative agents: some enteroviruses, particularly Coxsackie virus A16.

The high contagiousness, the disease affects mainly childrenthe age of 10, but may be ill adults. Often sick brothers and sisters of the infected child, often the parents.

Transmission: the disease is spread by airborne droplets, feces, infection can be purchased at the pool during the children's games and the cinema, sharing of toys on playgrounds and nurseries.

Incubation period: 3-6 days.

The disease is characterized by seasonal prevalence, most often seen in late summer and autumn.

Clinical picture

Initially, the disease causes flu-like symptoms: fever, sore throat and stomach.

Subsequently appear aphthae in the mouth on the soft palate, the side and the mucosa of the tongue.

There are pimples and blisters in the typical areas around the mouth, on the fingers and toes, on palms and soles, but sometimes they are localized in the lower legs, knees, buttocks, hands and face.

Sometimes the rash is very itchy and painful, it causes compulsive tingling in the affected limbs.

Passes spontaneously within 10 days, usually without complications.

Infrequent complications: sometimes after 4-5 weeks occurs a gradual detachment of the nails on the hands and feet, or the formation of small scars on the affected skin.

Treatment

Quiet mode, in a period of rashes on the soles – limit the long walk and physical activity.

To prevent further spreading – the refusal of visits of a group of children, wash children's clothes and toys solutions with the addition of disinfectants.

Increased fluid intake, avoidance of sun exposure.

Increased intake of vitamins, especially group B.

Symptomatic treatment: relief from itching with oral antihistamines and drugs for local application (Fenistil, zinc ointment), cooled compresses.

Antipyretics, analgesics.

How can I prevent infection?

The best prevention is hand hygiene. It is important to wash hands after using the toilet, before eating, before preparing food. Toys should be regularly washed and disinfected, as the virus live on them for several days. Children should stay home until the rash disappears.

The most common questions about the syndrome hand-foot-mouth

Why the disease is called a syndrome hand-foot-mouth?

This disease is a viral infection of the oral cavity associated with a rash on the hands, feet and around the mouth.

What is the cause of the disease and how it spreads?

Disease hand-foot-mouth is called several different viruses from the Coxsackie group of enteroviruses, most commonly in the occurrence of disease involves the Coxsackie viruses of group A (type 16, but also 4, 5, 9, 10), and enterovirus 71. The disease affects mainly children and adolescents. It has a seasonal pattern – peak incidence occurs in summer and early autumn.

The source of the virus is a sick person or persons in the incubation period, before onset of illness.

The disease is transmitted as airborne droplets and through contact with blisters or through contaminated objects (viruses are relatively stable). The incubation period is 1-15 days, an average of 3-8 days.

As the disease progresses and how long it lasts?

The disease begins with high fever, which may be associated with joint and muscle pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, and sometimes diarrhea. Ongoing sore throat and rash.

1. Rash in the mouth. On the mucous membranes of the lips, cheeks, hard palate and tongue vesicles appear whitish, quickly changing to the defects in the reddened environment – aphthae.
2. Blisters on the toes. At the same time there are blisters on the soles and palms. The rash can also affect the back side of the hands and around the elbows, sometimes appear on the thighs. Their contents transparent.

The illness lasts for 7-10 days, the vesicles spontaneously heal.

How is the treatment of the disease?

If you think that the child is sick syndrome hand-foot-mouth, measure his body temperature and if you have a fever (temperature exceeding 38), give antipyretic (Paralen or Nurofen).

Have your child observe the drinking regime. Offer him more fluids with a neutral taste (acid can cause irritation). It is best to drink pure water.

If mouth full aft, you can deal with them non-irritating local antiseptic. Also helps a little cold unsalted butter on the tongue.

Do not force your child to eat. If he is hungry, offer him more concentrated vegetable soups, soups – food should be warm.

Vesicles around the mouth, on the palms and soles hold dry, dries their local actions ointments containing zinc.

It is important to improve personal hygiene, to wash and disinfect their hands, use an individual's personal belongings (towels, etc).

The temperature is kept for 1-3 days. If it lasts longer, you should visit your doctor.