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From our Health Coordinator:

April 25, 2016

312

Dear Parents,

We have had a case of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) at the school and your child’s class may have been exposed. Given the evidence, it is likely that the student who is unwell was exposed to the virus outside school and the possibility your child has been exposed to the virus is low.

We will start screening all students in your child’s class on Thursday to look for any signs of the illness (fever, blisters on the hands, feet and in the mouth). We are starting screening on Thursday because the time from potential exposure to developing the illness is 3-5 days. We will do daily screening Thursday, Friday and Monday.

If your child gets unwell with a fever or any red marks on their hands or feet or in their mouths please do not send them to school and take them to the doctor for review.

Attached is an information sheet on Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease. Please remember that HFMD is generally a mild infection. However, it is contagious and in line with Thailand Public Health Regulations, we need to control any outbreak.

Please also remember that a few different viruses can cause HFMD. If your child has had it once they may get it again (due to a different virus).

Please email nurse@isb.ac.th if you have any concerns.

Sally Plomley

School Health Co-ordinator

Hand, Foot and Mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral infection.
The virus can spread from an infected person via contact with the fluid in the blisters, by coughing and sneezing, by contact with faeces and by contact with contaminated objects or surfaces. A person will take 3-5 days to get symptoms and will be contagious whilst there is fluid in the blisters (the faeces can remain infectious for several weeks).
Symptoms

fever
tiredness
loss of appetite
blisters in the mouth and on the hands and feet
a sore mouth for a few days before the ulcers or blisters appear.

Children may refuse to eat or drink due to the pain.
Diagnosis is usually made by clinical presentation.
Treatment

Usually none is required. Use of paracetamol/acetaminophen or ibuprofen for the fever and any discomfort may be indicated. Aspirin should not be given to children under 12 years of age.
The blisters should not be deliberately pierced or broken because the fluid within the blisters is infectious. The blisters will dry naturally.
If your child is diagnosed with Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease please notify the Health Clinic and they need to present a medical certificate to the Health Clinic stating they are fit to return to school and no longer contagious prior to going to class.
Prevention

Exclude people with hand, foot and mouth disease from school until all blisters have dried.
Wash hands with soap and water after toileting
Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and soiled items, including toys with a diluted solution of chlorine-contained bleach (approximately ¼ cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water).
Avoiding close contact such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with people with hand, foot, and mouth disease.

ISB is committed to your child’s overall development, both educationally and health related. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider or the ISB Health Clinic (nurse@isb.ac.th).