Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Monsoon is driving cases of a highly contagious hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) — a common viral illness — in young children in the national capital, said doctors on July 17.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) predominantly affects infants and young children, and is characterised by a combination of symptoms including fever, sore throat, mouth sores, and a rash on the hands and feet.The disease is caused by various enteroviruses, most commonly Coxsackievirus A16 and Enterovirus 71.
“We are seeing 4-5 cases every day, which is much higher than the average cases we used to see,”DrKrishanChugh, Principal Director and HOD, Paediatrics, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, said.
He said, “Cases are particularly seen among children aged 1-7.”The highly contagious disease typically begins with a fever, often accompanied by a sore throat and a general feeling of malaise.It is followed by painful sores or blisters appearing in the mouth, on the palms of the hands, and soles of the feet.
