Paediatricians treating 3 to 4 cases of hand,foot and mouth disease every day in city

Dr Sharad Agharkhedkar,head of paediatrics department at D Y Patil Medical College and Hospital,said they too have been treating two to three children every day. Most children recover within a week and it is not related to the disease with a similar name which affects animals,he added.

Physician Dr Sonali Shah said like many viral infections,the illness often starts with lethargy and fever. The throat commonly becomes sore followed by small spots that develop inside the mouth,which soon develop into small mouth ulcers,she added.

Dr Vaidya said in some cases spots also develop on the skin. Spots can appear on buttocks and legs but rarely develop on other parts of the body. Viruses spread through direct contact with the mucus,saliva or faeces of an infected person,he added.

Dr Rashmi Gupchup,consulting paediatrician at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital,has been treating babies as small as nine months for the disease. “I have been examining cases since two to three weeks now and have been advising parents not to panic,” she said.

She said the lesions in the mouth and skin can look quite bad which upset parents. Some lesions are particularly bad and children are unable to swallow and can lose appetite. However,symptomatic treatment is provided so that there is no secondary infection,she added. “We had seen similar cases in 2010 after which there has been a lull for two years,” she said.

Authorities at St,Mary’s School said if their medical team finds anyone with fever or related symptoms,he is immediately sent back home. “We tell children not to attend school until they have fully recovered,” said the authorities.

Arpita Karkare,Director,Millennium National School said there were a few stray cases of the disease. While no official advisory has been issued,it is advisable for students to remain at home so that they do not spread the disease,she added.