School opening is where children always come with an epidemic such as “Hand, foot and mouth disease” which is often found in small children who love putting stuff to their mouths. However, there is one thing that may relieve parent stress. That is a type of virus from a disease considered not to be very harmful to children. But, this does not mean parent should overlook. Because all pathogens, that come from hand foot and mouth can spread to the brain.
Accordingly, Pediatric and neurologist of children, at Children’s Health Center, Phyathai 3 Hospital has given the following details which are related to a question of how the disease can connect to the brain.
Hand-Foot-Mouth disease
This disease is caused by two viruses which are enterovirus and coxsackievirus. Each region is caused by one of them. In Thailand mostly caused by coxsackievirus, which is not dangerous to the body. And there are only throat ulcer, blisters on hands and feet occurred as an action, which can heal back to normal. While in Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore the disease is caused by a dangerous enterovirus71. Which cause children who are infected to have a high chance of being disability and dead. However, the disease has been found in Thailand since 1968, but there’s no inspection or monitoring for this disease as effective as the present time.
How Hand-Foot-Mouth disease impacts to the brain
The severity of enterovirus 71 caused by many complications that simply to be occurred. Such as pneumonia, lung infections, and enterovirus71, or the virus that directly damage the brain stem. According to the brain stem, it is also a center of brain function. Including keeping blood pressure and respiratory system in control. Hence, when there is inflammation, the respiratory system can be damaged, cause blood pressures to go down afterward. And eventually, result in some disabilities. For instances, some people, the brain may stop working and finally causes them to death. Which all are related to the name of the disease “Hand-Foot-Mouth” In fact, coxsackievirus can be transmitted to the brain as well. On the other hand, the risk factors for complications are considered to be occurred by two factors which are age and chronic diseases, however, in young children the symptoms are more severe than in adults due to age. Including, a case of chronic disease the symptoms in children are more severe than adult as well .
Symptoms
Hand and foot and mouth disease caused by enterovirus and coxsackievirus can be similar to the common flu. After the child gets infected, it takes about 3-5 days before symptoms appear. Such as no eating, drinking, and seem to be having fever. If the child opens a mouth, there will be an ulcer on the throat. It will gradually grow larger, causes drinking water and eating become more difficult. However, in some children may not eat at all. And eventually having a moody feeling or crying, due to they are unable to eat, at the same time, a fever will begin to rise.
Those small kids who are healthy, the body will build up immunity and get rid of the infection faster. Usually children can recover within 7-10 days. However, symptoms that must be monitored as a prevention of hand foot and mouth disease, enterovirus71 are having a high fever, and jolt during sleep. If your children have these symptoms, then the child must be sent to a hospital in order to be detected by doctor and diagnose what kind of infection for a proper remedy.
Treatment
If parents suspect whether the baby has hand-foot-and-mouth disease or not, then bring him or her to see a doctor in order to assess a condition of hypohydration, including the ability of drinking or eating. Besides, if you find that children can eat less than 50 percent according to a habit. A doctor usually recommends staying in a hospital to receive saline and medication which based on symptoms. Moreover, in case of treatment for ulcers in the throat, may take around 4-5 days, children will gradually heal and they can be able to eat as normal.
But, for older children, a doctor may consider anesthesia providing before eating to relieve pain. Which encourage them to eat more. After that, the doctor will advise parent to keep watching on spreading the infection to others by training children to wash their hands before picking objects. And their clothes must be washed separately. Prevent anyone from touching them. And let a school or teacher knows about your children having the disease as a reason for not attending to a class.
Later, the doctor will classify which types of virus infects the children. If it is coxsackievirus, it will not cause a fever, including sleep disturbance. Which a treatment will be provided only by palliative treatment. And if caused by enterovirus71 then needs to the infection spreading to the brain stem must be prevented. For some symptoms which may be suspected of brain ,stem infection is jolt during sleep, and convulsion.
Prevention
Prevention of foot-and-mouth disease may be difficult. Naturally, children usually like to pick up things to their mouths.
Thus, what parents can do is to train or teach children on how to take care of themselves. Such as, washing hands before picking food. And avoid interacting with patients. Or parents may help by observing if there is any child or children who are infected by this disease, then notify a school to close in order to prevent a spreading.
