.png)
IONE — There have been several new cases of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease within Selkirk Middle School this past week, according to a news release from Misty Reed, Selkirk School District nurse. HFMD is caused by a virus called Coxsackievirus A16.
“People infected with hand, foot, and mouth disease can spread it to others when they cough or sneeze,” Reed said in the news release, sent out Oct. 21. “You can also get hand, foot, and mouth disease if you come into contact with an infected person’s blister fluid or feces (poop).”
People can lower the risk of being infected by doing the following: Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; disinfect dirty surfaces and soiled items; and avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging or sharing eating utensils or cups with others.
Symptoms indicative of HFMD include a fever of around 101 to 103 degrees Fahrenheit, fatigue, a sore throat, abdominal pain, a poor appetite or respiratory symptoms. In a day or two sores or blisters may appear in or on the mouth. Sores may also appear on the hands, feet and sometimes the buttocks and legs. Some people may experience diarrhea and joint pain and in some cases a skin rash may appear before the blisters do.
Incubation period for the virus is usually three to six days for a person to get symptoms after being exposed to the virus. HFMD is infectious two days before the rash appears and during the acute stage of illness. The rash and blisters are not itchy, according to Reed.
“The virus is highly contagious and spreads easily through coughing and sneezing,” Reed said. “It also spreads through infected stool, such as when you change a diaper or when a young child gets stool on his or her hands and then touches objects that other children put in their mouths.”
Topical solutions or gels may be prescribed by a physician to help reduce oral discomfort. This is a virus, so antibiotics will not be prescribed.
“Drink plenty of liquids to stay hydrated,” Reed says. “Seek medical care if your child is not able to stay hydrated due to mouth sores.”
Reed requests that parents and guardians call the school to notify staff if their child has any of the above symptoms. Students should not return to school until after the fever is gone for 24 hours, when the blisters or sores are dry and when they no longer have a sore throat and feel well enough to participate in normal activities.
For questions and concerns, speak to your family physician or email Reed at [email protected], call 509446-3505 (6–12 building) or the elementary school at 509-446-4225.
