Parents urged to be alert for hand, foot and mouth disease symptoms

Parents are being urged to watch out for hand, foot and mouth disease following recent cases in the Geelong region.

PARENTS are being urged to watch out for hand, foot and mouth disease following recent cases in the Geelong region.

A Victorian health department spokesman said it was a mild illness that causes blisters on the hands and feet, in the mouth and often in the nappy area.

“It tends to spread easily between young children and is more common during warmer weather,” he said.

“There is no specific treatment and usually none is required.

“Maintaining good personal hygiene will help prevent spread of the infection to others.”

Barwon Health Public Health Unit director Eugene Athan confirmed the health service was

aware of some recent cases spreading locally.

Hand, foot and mouth disease causes blisters.

“These cases are generally managed at a community level without hospital admission,” Prof Athan said.

“Children should stay home until they’ve fully recovered, with symptoms including fever, rash, and mouth ulcers.”

Children with the illness should stay home from school and childcare centres until all of the blisters have dried.

To assist in prevention of spread, parents should report the illness to the director of the childcare centre or school principal.

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Originally published as Parents urged to be alert for hand, foot and mouth disease symptoms