the disease has also spread to adults with unusual symptoms, said physicians While several hospitals have got multiple children admitted. The recovery time for the disease has got longer, said physicians. Kolkata: Scores of children across Kolkata have been affected by hand, foot and mouth disease, an infection that causes body rashes and mouth ulcers and is extremely contagious.
there has been a surge over the last 10 days While some cases were reported in Aug.
Itching rashes are not a typical symptom, but this time many have got them,” said Sayan Chakrbarty, infectious diseases physician at Manipal Dhakuria. The rashes are also recurring in many cases after getting cured and eventually taking a longer time to resolve completely, said Asmita Ghosh, consultant paediatrician, Manipal Hospitals, Broadway. But this time, it has been different,” said Ghosh. Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common viral infection among young children and is usually self-limiting, said Priti Khemkha, consultant neonatologist & paediatrician, Neotia Bhagirathi Woman & Child Care Centre. ILS Hospitals Dum Dum has received patients with lesions on hands, palms, elbows and underarms, which resemble chickenpox, said Moupia Chakraborty, paediatrician, ILS Hospitals. The lesions can be quite painful, particularly those inside the mouth, which may make eating and drinking difficult,” said Chakraborty.
“We have received four such children in the last fortnight. several adult members of their families are affected While their symptoms have subsided. Worryingly, their symptoms are unusual, like severe itching and rashes. “This year, we’ve been noticing a change in the pattern of symptoms in children suffering from Hand Foot Mouth Disease (HFMD). Many have got an extremely itchy rash extending to the body and lower back. Normally, rashes are limited to the hand, foot and mouth, associated with fever. Children are even infecting their parents and close contacts, who rarely present with an extensively spread itchy rash without any fever. They usually need symptomatic treatment without the need for antibiotics. Bhagirathi Neotia Woman & Child Care Centre, too, has seen a steady flow of patients over the last week. “It typically presents with fever, painful mouth ulcers and rashes or blisters on the hands and feet. Parents should maintain proper hand hygiene, disinfect frequently touched surfaces and avoid sending infected children to school or daycare while they are unwell and potentially contagious. “It has been presenting with fever and papulovesicular lesions on the hands, palms, elbows, underarms, back, hips, knees and feet, along with similar lesions inside the mouth. As the symptoms may resemble chickenpox, parents often mistake one condition for the other. She added that most cases are self-limiting and resolve within about a week. “Treatment primarily involves managing fever and pain with paracetamol, ensuring adequate fluid intake and using antihistamine lotion for local relief, as advised by a doctor. In some cases, children who are unable to take adequate fluids orally may require intravenous fluids and other supportive treatment. Since the infection spreads easily from one child to another, adequate rest, appropriate isolation from other children and medication as prescribed by a paediatrician are recommended. ”