Hand, foot and mouth disease spreading in Vietnam
VOV.VN - Anyone that interacts with young children needs to be on the lookout for signs of hand, foot and mouth disease.
Doctors are seeing it all around the globe and Vietnam is not immune.
Since the beginning of the year, Hanoi has reported 221 cases of it in 22 districts and communes.
It’s yet another reason to teach your kids to wash their hands often.
Young kids often catch the contagious illness from diaper changing areas or toys that have been drooled on. The symptoms are easy to spot.
Doctors at the Hanoi Department of Health have seen dozens of cases every week for the past month.
“As far as kids are concerned the rash doesn't bother them at all, it doesn't itch, it doesn't hurt. But the ulcers are very painful,” said the Department.
It usually takes about a week to 10 days for the disease to run its course, treated with over the counter pain medication like ibuprofen to ease the pain.
On March 23, the Department in collaboration with Son Tay province’s People’s Committee launched a campaign to combat the spread of hand, foot and mouth disease.
“More hand washing by the children and staff, more cleaning of toys at the end of the day or play sessions, separating children who may be ill,” said the Department are all useful techniques to combat its spread.