It is possible to get hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) more than once?

Yes, it is!

HFMD is caused by several kinds of viruses. So even if you’ve had it, you can get it again.

HFMD is caused by viruses that belong to the ENTEROVIRUS family.

Common causes of HFMD are:

Coxsackievirus A16:

Typically the MOST COMMON cause of HFMD. Patients will usually recovery fully after being infected.

Coxsackievirus A6:

Also cause HFMD and the symptoms may be more severe.

Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71):

Has been associated with cases and outbreaks in East and Southeast Asia-including the one in Sarawak back in 1997 and 2003.

Although rare, EV-A71 has been associated with MORE SEVERE diseases such as encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and fluid in the lungs (neurogenic pulmonary oedema).

This means that if your child has been infected with HFMD before, you still need to take the extra precautions to avoid him/her to be infected again!

Have you heard of anybody being infected with HFMD more than once?

HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE (HFMD)-HOW TO RECOGNISE

With the increasing HFMD cases now, as a parent, I’m sure are worried that your child will be infected, especially if our child goes to daycare.

HFMD is common in infants and children younger than 5 years old. Most children have mild symptoms for 7 to 10 days.

Here are the symptoms to look out for:

FEVER:

Which appears 3 to 6 days after a child catches the virus.

Other symptoms may appear over the next few days.

FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS:

Which includes runny nose, sore throat and feeling unwell.

DROOLING:

A sign that swallowing may be painful for your child.

He/she may also be eating or drinking less.

MOUTH SORES:

Which develop one or two days after the fever starts.

Usually start as small red spots, often in the back of their mouth and is usually painful.

RASH:

Over palms and soles. Usually looks like flat, red spots.

May also appear on the knees, elbows, buttocks, or genital area.

The red dots can form BLISTERS, with fluid in the middle. Can be PAINFUL.

The scab that forms as the blister heals may contain the virus that causes HFMD.