By Swastika Sahu
There are increasing cases of hand foot and mouth disease in young children in Pune. Children aged between two and seven years are becoming more vulnerable to this. Recurrent cases have been seen in children this year.
It has been reported by doctors that the transmission of this extremely infectious disease has increased because of seasonal changes in weather as well as close proximity in nursery schools and schools. In rare cases, children with severe cases and in the high risk category might require hospitalization, but most of the children are able to recover with symptomatic treatment.
Senior pediatrician Dr. Jayant Navrange has said that there has been an increase in cases of hand foot and mouth disease among children in Pune during the last five weeks. It is affecting houses, communities as well as educational institutes. He added that he gets reports of four to five new cases in a week. Around thirty children have sought treatment in the past one month. There have been cases of re-infection in a few of these children. In some cases, the child had been infected with HFMD two or three times.
Though anyone may contract HFMD, it is usually common among children below the age of five. Though highly contagious, it is not a serious disease. Children are supposed to avoid close contact with others, clean and disinfect surfaces, and wash their hands regularly so as to prevent HFMD. Fever, mouth sores, fatigue, rashes, and small red spots developing into blisters on the tongue, gums, and inside the cheeks are the common symptoms and signs.
According to Dr. Anil Khamkar, academic head and senior consultant NICU at Noble Hospitals and Research Center, HFMD is common in Pune from June to October and December to January. The only symptoms showing up initially include fever and reduced activity followed by blisters and papular rashes. The rash appears usually in hands, feet, and inside the mouth as implied in the name of the disease. The knees, buttocks, and elbows are also affected by the disease. Burning sensation, itching, and discomfort are some of the symptoms associated with the rash. Blistering in the mouth and pharynx causes discomfort during meals and difficulty in swallowing according to Khamkar.
According to Dr Bhagwan Pawar, the Deputy Director of Health Services of Pune district, the disease mainly strikes kids ranging from ages three to seven years. He has requested that parents and the school authorities immediately take precautionary measures.
In summary, as per the medical practitioners, most of the kids recover within one to ten days. Nevertheless, in case the condition of the child worsens, he or she finds difficulty in drinking water, a medical checkup is mandatory.
By Swastika Sahu
There are increasing cases of hand foot and mouth disease in young children in Pune. Children aged between two and seven years are becoming more vulnerable to this. Recurrent cases have been seen in children this year.
It has been reported by doctors that the transmission of this extremely infectious disease has increased because of seasonal changes in weather as well as close proximity in nursery schools and schools. In rare cases, children with severe cases and in the high risk category might require hospitalization, but most of the children are able to recover with symptomatic treatment.
Senior pediatrician Dr. Jayant Navrange has said that there has been an increase in cases of hand foot and mouth disease among children in Pune during the last five weeks. It is affecting houses, communities as well as educational institutes. He added that he gets reports of four to five new cases in a week. Around thirty children have sought treatment in the past one month. There have been cases of re-infection in a few of these children. In some cases, the child had been infected with HFMD two or three times.
Though anyone may contract HFMD, it is usually common among children below the age of five. Though highly contagious, it is not a serious disease. Children are supposed to avoid close contact with others, clean and disinfect surfaces, and wash their hands regularly so as to prevent HFMD. Fever, mouth sores, fatigue, rashes, and small red spots developing into blisters on the tongue, gums, and inside the cheeks are the common symptoms and signs.
According to Dr. Anil Khamkar, academic head and senior consultant NICU at Noble Hospitals and Research Center, HFMD is common in Pune from June to October and December to January. The only symptoms showing up initially include fever and reduced activity followed by blisters and papular rashes. The rash appears usually in hands, feet, and inside the mouth as implied in the name of the disease. The knees, buttocks, and elbows are also affected by the disease. Burning sensation, itching, and discomfort are some of the symptoms associated with the rash. Blistering in the mouth and pharynx causes discomfort during meals and difficulty in swallowing according to Khamkar.
According to Dr Bhagwan Pawar, the Deputy Director of Health Services of Pune district, the disease mainly strikes kids ranging from ages three to seven years. He has requested that parents and the school authorities immediately take precautionary measures.
In summary, as per the medical practitioners, most of the kids recover within one to ten days. Nevertheless, in case the condition of the child worsens, he or she finds difficulty in drinking water, a medical checkup is mandatory.
