Background
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) was first described by Robinson and Rhodes in 1957 following an outbreak in Toronto which affected 60 patients from 27 families.
The first major outbreak occurred in Malaysia in 1997 followed by another one in India in 2007 during which 38 cases were reported in the region of Kolkata.
The largest outbreak was reported in China in 2008 which saw a large number of complications with a total number of 200 cases reported and 193 deaths due to the disease. During the last two decades, a sharp rise has been observed in the incidence, severity, complications and fatalities in South-East Asian countries due to viruses causing hand Foot and Mouth disease.
In India, it is assumed that development of Hand Foot and Mouth disease is related to eradication of polio because of mass immunization.
Hand, Foot and Mouth disease is the most commonly occurring and highly infectious viral disease occurring among children, caused primarily by the Coxsackie virus A16 (CV-A16) and Human Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71).
Infection with EV-A71 is of particular concern because it causes a severe disease among children, even leading to death.
Although this disease affects a large number of children all over the world, it is rarely seen among Indian children.
This disease usually occurs during summers and usually affects children below 10 years of age. It can also be seen in immune compromised patient and very rarely in adults.
“The Incubation Period For the Virus is 3-7 Days“
Complications and secondary infections from Hand, Foot and Mouth disease are rare and patients generally recover completely. Most patients do not even require hospitalization unless the neurological system gets involved.
Humans are the only known natural hosts for Coxsackie virus. An infected person continues to shed the virus through feces and saliva or mucus for several weeks after recovery. Therefore, the spread of hand, foot and mouth disease can occur during the acute phase and even after recovery.
Studies were done in Taiwan to evaluate the cause of epidemic and sporadic outbreaks of Hand Foot and Mouth disease suggested that household transmission of EV-71 played an important role in spreading the disease. In the study conducted, it was found that siblings of an infected person showed sero-positivity for EV-71.
“The Primary Mode of Spread of Viruses Causing Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is the Fecal-Oral Route”
No pharmacological intervention has been proven to prevent or control the spread of Hand Foot and Mouth disease.
Yet, It Can Be Prevented by Following Simple Hygiene Practices Like
Therefore, educating the general public regarding sanitation and general hygiene about plays an even greater role in the prevention of hand Foot and Mouth disease.
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Himanshi is a Homoeopathic consultant and currently working as a lecturer in Post-graduate faculty of Homeopathy, Parul University, Vadodara. Completed BHMS and MD in Homeopathy in January 2018 and also has a clinical experience of about 6 years. Personal interests include reading, spending time with family and traveling.
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