September 26th, 2016

We wish to inform you that a Senior Infant child has Hand,Foot and Mouth. This is a highly contagious infection. If your child is suffering from any of the symptoms , please keep him/ her at home. This infection will continue throughout the school if parents are not vigilant in keeping children at home. 

---

HSE Leaflet:Hand,Foot and Mouth Disease

Hand,Foot,and Mouth Disease (Coxsackievirus) Fact Sheet Hand,foot,and mouth disease is caused by one of several types of viruses

Hand,foot,and mouth disease is usually characterised by tiny blisters on the inside of the mouth and the palms of the hands,fingers,and soles of the feet. It is commonly caused by Coxsackievirus A16,and less often by other types of viruses.

Anyone can get hand,foot,and mouth disease Young children are mainly affected,but it may be seen in adults. Infection is mild and nearly all cases recover without medical treatment in 7-10 days. Complications are uncommon. Most cases occur in the summer and early autumn. Outbreaks may occur among groups of children especially in childcare centres or nursery schools. Symptoms usually appear 3 to 5 days after exposure.

Hand,foot,and mouth disease is usually spread through person-to-person contact It is primarily spread from mouth or respiratory secretions (such as from saliva on hands or toys). People can also spread the disease when they are shedding the virus in their faeces. The virus has also been found in the fluid from the skin blisters. The infection is spread most easily during the acute phase/stage of illness when people are feeling ill,but the virus can be spread for several weeks after the onset of infection. The incubation period is usually 3-7 days.

The symptoms are much like a common cold with a rash The rash appears as blisters or ulcers in the mouth,on the inner cheeks,gums,sides of the tongue,and as bumps or blisters on the hands,feet,and sometimes other parts of the skin. The skin rash may last for 7 to 10 days. There is no specific treatment;however,symptomatic treatment may be given to provide relief from fever,aches or pain from the mouth ulcers.

Help prevent and control the spread of hand,foot,and mouth disease by: Washing hands well,especially after going to the bathroom,changing nappies and/or handling nappies or other stool-soiled material. Covering lesions on the hand and feet if possible and allow to dry naturally. Covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Washing toys and other surfaces that have saliva on them.  

​Exclusion from child care/group settings. Children are usually excluded during the first few days of the illness and this will reduce the spread of infection but will not completely stop it. This is because the virus may be excreted for some weeks after the symptoms have disappeared. In addition some people excreting the virus,including most adults,may have no symptoms. This illness is often confused with foot and mouth disease of cattle,sheep and swine and although the names are similar the two diseases are not related at all and are caused by different viruses.