After several southern states have issued an alert over the spread of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), where it was called the “Tomato fever,” doctors have been seeing a spike in HFMD cases in Mokokchung now.
According to a pediatrician at the Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital, Mokokchung, cases of HFMD have been seeing a spike in the town since the beginning of this month as it is commonly spread during summer.
HFMD can show symptoms in stages, and can include a fever followed by red rashes, mouth sores or blisters depending on the immunity of the infected, the pediatrician said.
Hand, Foot and Mouth gets its name from common places that the rash appears. It typically spreads among children but adults too can also get infected.
“There is no set treatment for HFMD,” the doctor said, adding that it is treated symptomatically, which includes medication for the fever and any pain related to mouth sores or blisters.
Overall, “the symptoms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease usually go away after a week,” the doctor said.
HFMD is primarily a disease in children, but adults can get it too. However, when enquired, the doctor said that no cases in adults have yet been reported in Mokokchung.
HFMD is caused by a virus called Coxsackievirus A16. The infection causes red rashes on the palm of the hands, around mouth, soles, knees, chest, back and buttocks, etc. It is sometimes accompanied by fever. The infected suffer from pain, body ache, sore throat and loss of appetite.
It is contagious and spreads through touch, close contact and respiratory modes. The infected need to be isolated and practice proper hygiene. The virus is generally self-limiting and resolves within a week with symptomatic treatment, but in rare cases has been known to lead to more severe encephalitis of the brain.