Disease Advisory - Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

This advisory is issued to inform the general public that there is an increased incidence of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease seen in paediatric cases at the hospital. Hepangina or Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is a viral condition that presents with high grade fever and blister-like sores in the mouth. This condition is sometimes mistaken with tonsillitis or pharyngitis. Please be aware of this condition and if presenting to hospital with high fever, please do ask doctors to look for the condition.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease usually starts with a fever, poor appetite, a vague feeling of being unwell (malaise), and sore throat. One or 2 days after fever starts, painful sores usually develop in the mouth (herpangina). They begin as small red spots that blister and that often become ulcers. The sores are often in the back of the mouth. A skin rash develops over 1 to 2 days. The rash has flat or raised red spots, sometimes with blisters. The rash is usually on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet; it may also appear on the knees, elbows, buttocks or genital area.

For more information on HFMD please see the following website please visit the CDC HFMD homepage

Note: Photos used in this Advisory are with the consent of the patient.