Letters have been sent out to childcare providers across the
Commonwealth warning of a contagious virus spreading among infants and
young children.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral
illness that typically infects children up to age 5; however, anyone is
susceptible to the disease.
According to the letter sent out by the
Central Shenandoah Health District, emergency department and urgent
care visits for the illness have been elevated in recent weeks.
Laura Kornegay, health director for the
district, said, "There were a total across the state of 376 emergency
department and urgent care visits that a chief complaint or a diagnosis
of hand, foot and mouth disease. Or, they had symptoms consistent with
that of the diagnosis."
Symptoms of this illness are "fever,
fatigue, followed by a rash...typically in the mouth, palms or soles,"
said Kornegay. She said painful sores are also common.
While there is no treatment for this
illness, there are ways to try to keep it from spreading. Kornegay says
parents should encourage children to always wash their hands after using
the restroom, and parents should keep children at home — away from
others — if they get sick.
Source: https://http://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Health-officials-warn-of-contagious-virus-spreading-in-the-Commonwealth-487893641.html" rel="nofollow - https://http://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Health-officials-warn-of-contagious-virus-spreading-in-the-Commonwealth-487893641.html