Dharam Pal, Union Territory of Chandigarh’s adviser, assessed the situation on Thursday in light of recent occurrences of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
He asked the Health Department to send a warning to Chandigarh schools to take appropriate precautions in this regard. He went on to say that there is no need to panic because all required actions are being done. HFMD often begins with a fever, loss of appetite, a general sense of being ill, and a scratchy throat. Fever generally begins after one or two days, and painful ulcers in the mouth develop. They begin as tiny red patches and frequently progress to ulcers.
Rashes on the palms and feet might appear in 1 to 2 days. It can also be seen on the knees, elbows, buttocks, and vaginal region.
Persons infected with the viruses that cause hand, foot, and mouth disease may not experience all of the disease’s symptoms. They may just have mouth sores or a rash on their skin. The viruses that cause HFMD can be identified in secretions such as saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus, blister fluid, and faeces of an infected individual (stool)
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, samples from the throat or stool may be obtained and submitted to a laboratory for viral testing. The testing facility is accessible at PGIMER’s Department of Virology.
It has been discovered that infection can be controlled by practising proper hygiene, which includes mandatory hand washing after contact with the patient, personal items such as spoons, cups, and utensils not being shared and being properly washed with detergent after use, articles such as toys contaminated by infected cases being disinfected, patients with HFMD being isolated and the usual isolation procedures being followed for infection control, and washing hands frequently with soap and water.
Contacts such as kissing, embracing, or sharing eating utensils or cups with persons who have hand, foot, and mouth disease, as well as sharing of clothes, towels, and so on, should be avoided.
It was also revealed that no vaccine exists to fight against the viruses that cause hand, foot, and mouth disease. There is currently no therapy for hand, foot, and mouth illness. However, symptomatic therapy is possible.
The Chandigarh Administration also reminded residents that Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is a viral condition. It frequently occurs in the summer and causes a distinctive rash on the hands and feet as well as blisters in the mouth. These illnesses are frequent in children, especially preschoolers.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is typically minor and resolves itself within a week. Treatment is aimed at alleviating symptoms like as fever and sore throat, although it is very infectious.
