Foot-hand-mouth worsening in HCM City

07:15' 21/04/2008 (GMT+7)
Children with foot-hand-mouth disease in a hospital in HCM City
VietNamNet Bridge - The increasing number of children diagnosed with foot-hand-mouth disease indicates the epidemic is entering a new phase, said doctors at the Infectious Disease Department of Paediatrics hospital No 1, HCM City.
Yesterday morning alone, the department received 52 children suffering from the disease, which is highly infectious.
The disease can lead to inflamed sores on the lips, tongue and mouth, fever, sore throat and tender hands and feet. Children are generally more affected.
"The number of patients this week doubled over last week," said Truong Huu Khanh, head of the department.
An increase in victims was also reported at the Paediatrics Hospital No 2. About 30 patients a day are being admitted.
It said cases in the first three months of this year were seven times higher than for the same period last year.
"These figures show that the risk of a serious epidemic is very high," said one doctor. Most children are admitted with long lasting fever, nausea and vomiting. Their hand, feet and mouth are often covered with pus-filled blisters.
"Convulsion, waking up with a start or with glowing eyes are other symptoms," said Dr Khanh.
The disease is easily treated, but if left alone can damage the brain and heart. Death sometime occurs.
"Children under three-years’ of age can get the disease through touching nose fluids, spittle or touching bottles, food or toys belonging to those already suffering," said Khanh.
To prevent the disease, parents should take note of any symptoms – and take their children to hospital for diagnosis and treatment if they persist, said Khanh.