Recorded at the Department of Infectious Diseases - Neurology of Children's Hospital 1 (HCMC), in recent days, the number of children with hand, foot and mouth disease who have to be hospitalized for treatment has increased, including severe cases.
Sharing with Lao Dong Newspaper, Ms. Ngoc Diem (HCMC) said that her 1-year-old son initially had a high fever of 39 - 40 degrees and stopped feeding. The family took the child to many places for examination but it did not decrease. When examined at Children's Hospital 1, the doctor diagnosed the child with early hand, foot and mouth disease. When admitted to the hospital, the child coughed a lot and was wheezing; X-rays detected further pneumonia, so the child was given air to breathe and be treated.
"After 4 days in the hospital, the child's hand, foot and mouth disease was fine, but the child's lungs were still weak. The doctor is monitoring more and plans to discharge the child in 1-2 days" - Ms. Diem shared.
According to Dr. Tieu Chau Thy - Department of Infectious Diseases - Neurology, Children's Hospital 1, the number of hand, foot and mouth disease cases has increased rapidly in both inpatient and outpatient cases for about 10 days. Pediatric patients mainly come from Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces such as Tay Ninh, Dong Nai...
"Previously, the department treated less than 20 cases per week. However, this week, about 40 - 50 cases were recorded, including new cases and re-examination cases from grade 2 to grade 4" - Dr. Thy said.
Some serious cases have recently been transferred to the Department of Infectious Resuscitation, some children have to use a ventilator. Test results recorded some infections with Enterovirus 71 (EV71) - a virus strain that is more susceptible to complications than other strains. The hospital has prepared antibodies Immunoglobulin - a treatment for severe hand, foot and mouth disease to reduce the risk of degradation - along with anti-concussion drugs and a ventilator system for timely treatment.
Doctor Thy said that young children do not have a specific immunity to hand, foot and mouth virus, so they are very susceptible to the disease. When children enter a group environment, especially the first period of school from 12 months old and above, the risk of infection increases. The virus can spread rapidly in classrooms or playgrounds. Even if parents keep the children clean at home, they can still get infected when they come into contact with many people in playgrounds or when relatives accidentally bring pathogens from outside.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC), in week 46 (November 10 - 16), Ho Chi Minh City recorded 1,542 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease, an increase of 30.2% compared to the average of the previous 4 weeks. From the beginning of the year to the end of week 46, the city recorded 31,000 cases. Areas with high rates of infection over 100,000 people include Con Dao, Nha Be and Binh Tan.
To prevent hand, foot and mouth disease, the city's health sector recommends that people and communities proactively follow the 3-clean motto: clean eating, clean living, clean hands and playing with toys. Do not let children come into contact with sick people or suspect their illness. In particular, when detecting children with suspected signs of hand, foot and mouth disease (fever, hand, foot rash, mouth ulcers, heartburn), it is necessary to take the child to the doctor or immediately notify the nearest health agency for timely guidance and support.
