Florida State University Health Officials Apply Preventive Measures Against Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease on Campus
Health officials from Florida State University are looking for ways to prevent viral infections from spreading inside the campus. The symptoms associated with these infections are related to hand, foot and mouth disease which is a more common disease in day care centers.
According to Lesley Sacher, director of Health and Wellness Center of Florida State U, said that more than 12 cases have been reported so far. Sacher adds that the disease usually lasts for about 5 days. Unfortunately, there is no known medicine to treat the ailment. Instead, basic home remedies are typically applied to provide remedy to the patients.
Symptoms of the hand, foot and mouth disease include sore throat, mild fever and blisters on the feet, mouth and hands, as the name of the illness suggests.
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Florida State University will maintain the implementation of its protocols for sanitation in all public areas on the campus. According to Tom Jacobson, Environmental Health and Safety director, "Students should take the necessary precautions to sanitize their living and communal spaces including bathrooms."
Sacher adds that washing hands with soap and water is "the most important piece of advice," in helping prevent the hand, foot and mouth disease from further spreading.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
According to Web MD, the sores may also appear on the legs and buttocks. It is most commonly found in children, although adults aren't an exception. The disease often occurs during the fall or summer.
The virus that causes this disease is known as the enterovirus. Patients who are infected with hand, foot and mouth disease should refrain from sneezing and coughing without covering their nose and mouth, as the virus could be easily spread that way.
Treatment
As mentioned above, hand, foot and mouth disease has no treatment. Patients with hand, foot and mouth disease are given remedies for pain relief. These include drinking lots of cool fluids for the sore throat, preventing spicy and acidic food intake, taking meds to calm fever such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Prevention
The best way to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease is to observe proper hygiene. This includes washing of the hands regularly with soap and hot water. At home, it's best to disinfect certain areas, such as shared surfaces. Disinfection can be done with soap and water, and water and bleach diluted solution.
Patients exhibiting the symptoms of the disease should stay at home and not go to work or school, to avoid infecting others. People with hand, foot and mouth disease are most contagious during the first week.
