Alert for cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease in children from Holguin

Health authorities in Holguín have issued a warning about the appearance of the so-called hand, foot, and mouth syndrome in children of preschool and primary school age. This childhood disease causes high fever, respiratory manifestations, skin lesions with blisters or vesicles, as well as loss of appetite and sore throat.

The newspaper Ahora admits that in some centers cases of the disease have been reported, which is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, although also through contaminated objects. Therefore, in the face of any symptoms, parents are advised to keep their children at home and seek medical attention.

Yanelis Calviño Vega, head of surveillance at the Health Department in the province, explained that a child can acquire the virus if someone coughs or sneezes near them, or when coming into contact with the blisters. Therefore, it is necessary to enforce personal hygiene measures, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water.

The specialist in Hygiene and Epidemiology reported that the virus's incubation period is four to six days, and generally, patients recover in about seven to 10 days.

What is recommended is to feed them with whatever the children want, as well as plenty of liquids, and pain relievers for fever and discomfort.

He clarified that eruptions can appear in other areas of the body such as the knees, elbows, buttocks, and genitals, but the sores that come out in the mouth are the most bothersome, and that children reject all kinds of food, even water.

Calviño Vega added that during these intense heat months it is important to drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty, to avoid exposure to the sun between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm, and to wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.

Children, the elderly, people with chronic illnesses, or bedridden individuals are more susceptible to these high temperatures, so they need to be protected more. Meanwhile, it is necessary to keep houses open during the morning and afternoon hours to ventilate them.