What you can do to protect yourself against hand, foot, and mouth disease

July 9, 2012

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday encouraged the public to take several precautionary measures against hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) after the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a recent update that it could be the mystery disease that has killed at least 60 children in Cambodia since April this year. 
 

According to the health agency, HFMD is spread through direct contact with bodily secretions (for example, saliva) of affected people.

 

The disease can thus be prevented by practicing good personal hygiene, particularly frequent hand-washing, the DOH said in a statement.

 

"HFMD is an illness affecting mostly children and commonly spreads after direct contact with secretions (such as saliva) coming from patients. Adults seem protected against the disease possibly because of early infection in childhood," the statement said.

 

The health department also encouraged the public to seek medical attention as soon as they experience symptoms, which include high fever, vomiting, lethargy and limb weakness.

 

Upon diagnosis, HFMD patients should also take plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, DOH advised, noting that antibiotics won’t help with treatment since “the cause of HFMD is viral.”

 

In an update Monday afternoon, the WHO revealed that a considerable proportion of samples collected from patients were positive for Enterovirus-71, which causes HFMD and has been associated with serious complications thereof. –Amanda Lago/KG, GMA News