You've heard the song head and shoulders, knee's and toes, but have your heard of hand, foot and mouth disease?

The contagious disease has started to spread, with three day cares in Cochrane and surrounding areas registering an outbreak to Alberta Health Services.

Kids who contract the disease will have small painful ulcers in the mouth, on the palms of the hands and the bottoms of their feet.

Other symptoms include;

  • fever
  • headache
  • sore throat
  • loss of appetite
  • lack of energy
  • vomiting and/or diarrhea
  • a skin rash that looks like red spots, often with small blisters on top, that appears on the hands (palms) and feet (soles), buttocks and sometimes other places on the body.

The disease usually spreads within the first week of illness and is contracted through saliva or stool, but the virus can stay in the stool for several months and may still infect others

Although there is no real treatment, Alberta Health Services said that symptoms will dissipate within a week or two.

If a child becomes severely dehydrated through vomiting, is breathing rapidly, or experiences a severe headache that causes confusion or unusual sleepiness, contact your doctor.

 

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