Pinehurst Elementary dealing with hand, foot, and mouth disease
Courtesy image This is what hand, foot, and mouth disease usually looks like on a young child.
PINEHURST — Staff at Pinehurst Elementary School sprung into action on Wednesday after several confirmed cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease were discovered within the ranks of the attending first-graders.
First-grade students at PES went home with a note on Wednesday to warn their parents of the impending outbreak.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is viral and is incredibly contagious, especially in younger children who may not be practicing the necessary hygiene styles that would help contain the virus.
HFMD symptoms may include fever, sore throat, feeling unwell, irritability and loss of appetite, as well as blisters, skin peeling, rashes or red spots on the skin, canker sores, coughing, headache and irritability may also occur.
Generally, a person with hand, foot, and mouth disease is most contagious during the first week of illness.
People can sometimes be contagious for days or weeks after symptoms go away.
Some people, especially adults, may become infected and not develop any symptoms, but they can still spread the virus to others.
The virus usually clears up on its own within 10 days and pain medications help relieve most symptoms.
HFMD is usually a one-time only virus for most people over the age of 6, but, while they do build up immunity to it over time, young children can get hand, foot, and mouth disease more than once.
Parents can make sure they are doing everything they can to prevent the virus by having them and their children wash their hands often, as well as covering all coughs and sneezes, and not sharing drinks and food.
In a statement released on the school’s Facebook page, the school asked that parents and students follow all basic precautionary advice:
“Only the first grade has been affected by this. The custodial staff is diligently cleaning the rooms and all common areas. Please follow the nurses’ suggestions, if you have questions or concerns please call your healthcare provider for health concerns or feel free to call us for school concerns.”
If you feel like your child may be showing symptoms, please consult your local primary care physician.
For more information, contact Pinehurst Elementary School at 208-682-2193.