Warning from an expert: 'Hand, foot, and mouth disease can be transmitted through pool water'

Pediatric Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Nazlı Karakullukçu Çebi made statements regarding hand, foot, and mouth disease, which is a contagious infectious disease.

Specialist Dr. Çebi stated, “The disease can be transmitted through the respiratory tract, saliva, close contact, and the fecal-oral route. The opening of the pool season in summer and the swallowing of infected pool water pose a separate risk.”

LISTED THE SYMPTOMS

Pointing out that hand, foot, and mouth disease usually begins with fever, loss of appetite, a vague feeling of malaise, and a sore throat, Specialist Dr. Çebi said, “Abdominal pain and coughing may also occur. 1-2 days after the onset of fever, painful, fluid-filled rashes appear in the mouth. The rashes usually start as small red spots in the back of the mouth and later turn into fluid-filled blisters. Skin rashes develop 1-2 days later. They start as flat red spots on the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands.”

''RASHES MAY BE SEEN ON THE SKIN''

Stating that sometimes rashes can also form on the knees, elbows, buttocks, or genital area, Specialist Dr. Çebi added, “Rashes on the buttocks can be confused with diaper rash, and rashes on the hands can be confused with allergies. Rashes on the hands and feet usually heal on their own within 5-7 days. Especially young children may have difficulty drinking water due to painful sores in their mouths. Even though it is called hand, foot, and mouth disease, rashes may not always be seen in all these areas. It can develop only as mouth sores or only as skin rashes.”