Start your day off with a happy three-year-old child who is very active and engaged in play. Every week the child attends the center at 8am-3pm, playing with the same children as always. Week after week the child is still active, engaged, and excited about seeing his or her friends at the child care center.
One day the child is picked up with a high fever and a rash located on different areas of the body.
Now you no longer have an active child who is always on the move, but an inactive child who is undoubtedly sick.
Your first instinct is to ask the center: What? When? How? and Why,but not even the center director has the answer to your questions.
So your second instinct is to call and make an appointment to the doctor’s office explaining the symptoms that your child has.
By the morning, you have reached the doctor, who examines the child, and runs a few test.
In conclusion, the doctor states that your child has Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.
What is Hand Foot and Mouth Disease?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), researchers have stated that “Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common viral illness that usually affects infants and children younger than five years old.
The signs and symptoms of this viral disease are fever, reduced appetite, sore throat, and a feeling of being unwell.
CDC also says that painful sores can develop in the mouth, and a skin rash with red spots may also develop over one or two days on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet; As well as on the knees, elbows, buttocks or genital area.
How Do Children Get the Disease?The ways in which a child can contract this virus is:
- By being in contact with another child who is infected
- If coughing and sneezing is occurring
- By being in Contact with feces
- or By being contact with contaminated objects and surfaces such as toys, sheets, books, and etc.
How to Prevent the Spread of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease?
Even though this viral disease sounds and is horrible to deal with, there is a way to prevent this common disease from affecting your child:
- Washing hands often with soap and water, especially after changing diapers and using the toilet.
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and soiled items, including toys.
- Avoiding close contact such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with people with hand, foot, and mouth disease.
If your child is showing similar symptoms, take precaution:
- Schedule an appointment.
- Find out what treatment is needed to help the child get better.
- Hand washing and disinfecting needs to be exercised.
- By all means, keep the child out of care until all symptoms have completely subsided and the doctor has released the child from sick leave.
Note:
This is a common disease that children can be affected by at home, while grocery shopping, or even at a child care facility.
For more information about Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease Visit: http://www.cdc.gov/hand-foot-mouth/about/signs-symptoms.html
Child Care Resource Center 