New Delhi: HFMD is a viral illness prevalent in young children, with the highest incidence in those younger than five years of age. Fever, mouth ulcers, and rash on the hands and feet are seen as symptoms, but the illness is normally mild and very contagious. Quite fascinatingly, HFMD epidemics in India also appear to coincide with the monsoon season, accompanied by anxious watching by parents and healthcare providers. Knowing why this seasonal increase occurs becomes extremely crucial for its prevention and early treatment.
Dr. Sameer Bhati, Public Health Expert, answered all FAQs about hand-foot-mouth disease during monsoons.
Why Risk Rises During Monsoons
- High Humidity & Damp Environments: Restituent viral survival and transmission are significantly higher during monsoons. Wet surfaces, wet toys, and damp environments allow the virus to remain alive longer compared to dry environments. Kids are happy with their greater likelihood of infection in densely populated areas such as schools and day-care centres.
- Close Proximity in Bad Weather: Monsoons usher in a host of other diseases—cold, cough, viral fevers—which can compromise a child’s immune system, leaving them vulnerable to opportunistic infections such as HFMD.
- Poor Sanitation and Waterlogging: Monsoon rains frequently result in water stagnation and poor drainage in most urban and rural regions. Such conditions are responsible for unhygienic conditions where viruses and bacteria have an easy time multiplying, leaving a person more susceptible to infection.
Symptoms to Watch For
- Fever
- Miserable mouth ulcers
- Redness of hands, feet, and occasionally buttocks
- Loss of hunger and overall malaise
Parents need to be especially watchful if their child experiences more than one symptom and must immediately contact a paediatrician for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Keep Hygiene
- Instruct patients to wash their hands with soap every time after returning from outdoor play or using any public facility. Disinfect toys and all commonly touched surfaces at home.
- Try to avoid areas with poor sanitation and waterlogged conditions.
- Avoid sharing towels, cups, or utensils during the peak season.
- Build Immunity
Feed children a balanced diet providing ample quantities of fruits, vegetables, and proteins. The addition of probiotics, such as yoghurt, can assist in sustaining gut health.
- Medical Help at the Right Time
Depending on symptoms and at their onset, consult the medical provider. Early diagnosis is good for managing symptoms and preventing the spread.
Conclusion
HFMD is mostly mild and self-limiting, but its high registration during monsoons is an open reminder that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. A couple of good hygiene habits integrated with balanced nutrition and symptom awareness on the part of parents can go a long way in preventing this highly contagious affliction in kids. Being monsoon-ready is a sure-shot recipe for keeping HFMD at bay, making children active, healthy, and happy the entire season.