by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - The Department of Public Health and Social Services is seeing an increase in Hand Foot and Mouth Disease on island. HFMD is a highly contagious viral infection common in children under the age of 10 and is often spread in daycares.

Signs and Symptoms
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Feeling unwell
• Painful sores on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks
• Red rash on hands, feet or butts (may be itchy, may have blisters)
• Irritability in infants and toddlers
• Loss of appetite

There is no vaccine to protect against HFMD but you and your children can lower your risk of becoming sick (or of spreading the infection if already sick) by observing the following preventive measures:

1. Always clean hands with soap and water after using the toilet or handling diapers and other stool-soiled materials.

2. Do not share towels or wash cloths, especially at nurseries and other facilities for infants.

3. Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly.

4. Clean shared children's toys and other objects thoroughly and frequently with diluted household bleach (approximately 1 part Clorox to 10 parts water). Allow to set for a few minutes and then rinse with clean water or wipe dry with a clean cloth. Regular disinfectants can also be used instead of Clorox.

5. Avoid taking children to overcrowded places if they are sick; avoid exposing young children to crowds, especially when childhood diseases are prevalent in the community .

6. Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with people who may be sick or have been exposed to sick children.

7. Children who are ill should be kept out of school or day care centers until their fever and rash have subsided and any vesicles have dried and become crusted.