“In the last couple of years, we’ve probably forgotten about the common, regular, circulating viral enemies that we see in children — one of which is hand, foot and mouth disease,” Dr. Justin Penner told Global News. “We certainly could have predicted that – it’s not unheard of after two years of a pandemic when people don’t mingle or go to school or daycare.” Penner said the disease usually causes nonspecific symptoms — fever, cough, some abdominal symptoms — as well as the namesake fluid-filled blisters on the hands and feet and inside the mouth.
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Story continues below ad “Most cases of hand, foot and mouth disease are self-limiting — make sure (the kids) stay well hydrated, make sure they’re symptom-controlled with their temperature, make sure they’re eating and comfortable … and most of those cases will go away on their own. Trending Stories
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“What we really need to watch out for are kids who are dehydrated or who really aren’t drinking at all.” A spokesperson for Shared Health confirmed to Global News that the two-year period of inactivity associated with the pandemic is the reason for the recent increase, which resulted in 20 cases being treated in the first five days of July. In all of last year, there were a total of 18 hospitalizations and only 25 for all of 2020. “The end of most public health measures related to the pandemic has allowed this disease to re-emerge,” the spokesman said. “Children, who are more susceptible to viruses than adults, are generally more socially active than they were in the previous two-plus years, making their risk of exposure higher. Changing strains of the virus may account for a steady increase in the number of hand, foot and mouth disease seen around the world before the pandemic and now re-emerging.” Most people recover from hand, foot and mouth disease within a week to 10 days, and many of the strategies used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 can also be used in this case, such as washing of hands, physical distance and disinfection of surfaces. Story continues below ad 5:31 Manitoba records high rates of kidney disease Manitoba records high rates of kidney disease – March 9, 2022 © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
