Hand, foot and mouth disease outbreak in Mayo

MAYO is dealing with an outbreak of a post-Christmas virus among children.

Many young children in the county have been afflicted with a condition known as hand, foot and mouth disease.

Despite the somewhat alarming title, the disease, although contagious, is mild. It is mostly common in under five year olds.

The viral infection is most commonly caused by what is known as a coxsackievirus.

It is characterised by sores in the mouth and rash on the hands and feet. Medical experts say the symptoms of the condition include fever, sore throat, painful blister type lesions on the tongue, gums and insides of the cheeks, irritability and loss of appetite.

They add that the risk of infection can be reduced by encouraging and teaching a child to practice good hygiene.

The good news for all parents and guardians is that hand foot and mouth disease is usually a minor illness, causing only a few days of fever and relatively mild signs and symptoms.

Contact with a doctor may not be necessary unless mouth sores or a sore throat keep a child from drinking fluids or, if within a few days of the condition becoming apparent, the child’s signs and symptoms worsen.