Rise in HFMD, chickenpox cases has parents worried

Tribune News Service

Manav Mander

Ludhiana, July 29

Many cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and chickenpox have come forward among kids. The children who are infected are mostly pre-primary students, causing panic among parents. A few schools have also sent messages to parents asking them not to send their wards to school if they are sick and also adopt necessary precautionary measures.

Hand, foot and mouth disease, its symptoms

• Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) usually starts with fever, poor appetite, a vague feeling of being unwell and sore throat. One or two days after fever starts, painful sores usually develop in the mouth. They begin as small red spots and that often become ulcers
• Initial symptoms include fever, sore throat, and in day or two, painful sores develop on the mouth, hands and soles of the feet. Rashes may appear on legs, elbows, buttocks or genital area

With monkeypox cases also being reported in the country, some are also confusing HFMD cases for monkeypox, which is the main reason behind panic situation among parents.

An expert from Dayanand Medical College and Hospital said she has been receiving cases of HFMD and chickenpox but there is nothing to worry. This happens every year and the infected kid should not be send to school and isolated at home so that others are not infected. “No case of monkeypox has been reported and people should not panic,” she said.

Dr Rajinder Gulati, a paediatrician and retired SMO, Civil Hospital, Khanna, said he too have been receiving cases of both chicken pox and HFMD. “It is a contagious disease caused by viruses that belong to Enterovirus family. It spreads in cough, sneezes, stool and the fluid in the blisters. The rash manifests as tiny red bumps or blisters on the palms of the hands, soles of feet, fingers and toes. In the mouth, the rash appears as painful sores to ulcers,” he said.

A mother whose kid got infected with HFMD said her daughter caught the infection from school. “School should switch to online mode,” she said.

A parent from a private school in Sarabha Nagar said yesterday they received a message from school asking the parents to let the children stay at home in case of any signs of illness.

“Sending a sick child to school may lead to the spread of infection, exertion to the patient and disturbs the functioning of the school,” the message read.

“Today, we received another message to send students with face masks from July 30 onwards as it will shield them from viral transmissions and seasonal allergies,” added a parent.

A parent from a private school at Shastri Nagar had also received a message from the school asking the parents to be cautious and adopt precautionary measures. A pool party planned by the school was also cancelled keeping in view the circumstances.

Another parent whose child studies in a private school at Dugri said many students in the school are infected with HFMD and parents are worried and panicked thinking it might be cases of moneypox due to rashes on the body.

Civil Surgeon Dr Hatinder said no case of monkeypox has been reported in the district and there is no need to panic.

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