Hand, foot and mouth disease is a disease that is prevalent in the summer, mainly among children, and causes rashes on the hands, feet and mouth. The number of patients nationwide has increased sharply, exceeding the "alert level" guideline. ■ Hand, foot and mouth disease: "alert level" nationwide What symptoms should you consult a doctor about? Caster Masatoshi Nanba: According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, the number of patients reported in approximately 3,000 pediatric clinics nationwide in the week from June 24 to 30 was 8.45 per medical institution, and has been increasing for 14 consecutive weeks. In 37 prefectures, the "alert level" guideline (5 people) has been exceeded. The most common are Mie Prefecture with 22.73 cases, Hyogo Prefecture with 13.42 cases, Kagoshima Prefecture with 12.8 cases, and Kagawa Prefecture with 12.75 cases. In Tokyo, the "alert level" was reached around mid-June, with an average of 9.88 cases in the week from June 24 to 30. Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral infection that is characterized by: ▼Rash on the mouth, hands, feet, etc. ▼Fever and sore throat ▼Rare complications such as encephalitis ▼Approximately 90% of cases are infants and children under the age of 5. Regarding the current epidemic, Professor Hiroyuki Moriuchi of Nagasaki University Graduate School believes, "It is a type of summer cold, and this virus prefers high temperatures and humidity. This year, the hot and humid weather came early, so it may be spreading ahead of schedule." He also says that one reason is that "people have not built up immunity recently due to the spread of COVID-19." We asked Professor Moriuchi about precautions for hand, foot and mouth disease. [Check for abnormalities in children] ・What about food? ・What about fluids? ・Is your child vomiting? ・Check for rashes anywhere on the body →If a rash appears in the mouth, your child will be unable to eat or drink, so it is important to check [Symptoms that should be consulted by a doctor] ・Drowsy ・Unable to eat or drink ・Especially beware of dehydration →Consult a doctor immediately ■Is alcohol disinfection ineffective against the virus that causes hand, foot and mouth disease? What is the prevention method? Caster Chiaki Horan: How do you develop immunity to hand, foot and mouth disease? Professor Hiroyuki Moriuchi, Nagasaki University Graduate School: Once you have contracted hand, foot and mouth disease, you will develop immunity to the virus. However, since there are many types of viruses that cause hand, foot and mouth disease, it is possible that another virus could cause the same disease. Caster Horan: So you can't rest easy just because you have had it once? Professor Moriuchi, Nagasaki University Graduate School: Sometimes people get it multiple times in one summer. Caster Takahiro Inoue: What are the risks of complications? Nagasaki University Graduate School Professor Moriuchi: The most frightening thing is that it becomes difficult to eat or drink, leading to dehydration. In rare cases, it can also cause encephalitis, so if your child becomes confused, has convulsions, or shows any other abnormal behavior, consult a doctor immediately. Former Japanese national swimming team member Takeshi Matsuda: My eldest daughter contracted hand, foot, and mouth disease five years ago. However, my younger children have never contracted it. Is there a way to prevent it? Nagasaki University Graduate School Professor Moriuchi: This virus spreads not only through saliva and droplets, but also through feces, which then enters the mouth. The way to prevent it is to wash your hands. If you touch your eyes, nose, mouth, etc. with hands that have the virus on them, the virus will enter your body. Wash your hands properly after sharing various items with other people and before eating. Caster Inoue: Is alcohol disinfection effective? Nagasaki University Graduate School Professor Moriuchi: Unfortunately, unlike influenza and corona, hand, foot and mouth disease and summer cold viruses cannot be destroyed by alcohol. Wash thoroughly with soap and running water. Caster Minami: When adults are infected with hand, foot and mouth disease, symptoms such as "high fever," "strong pain," and "strong fatigue" tend to be more severe than children. A 31-year-old woman who was actually infected said, "My throat was covered in rashes. I had severe pain every time I swallowed saliva. My fever did not go down." Hand, foot and mouth disease is not the only summer infection. ▼ Herpangina causes a rash in the back of the throat and a fever of 39 degrees or higher ▼ Pharyngoconjunctival fever (swimming pool fever) is said to cause symptoms such as bloodshot eyes and a fever of 39 to 40 degrees. Nagasaki University Graduate School Professor Moriuchi: Most summer colds will be cured after a while with sufficient nutrition and hydration. However, if you think that your condition is different from your usual cold, consult your doctor immediately. If your child is unconscious or has a seizure, do not hesitate to call an ambulance. ======== <Profile> Hiroyuki Moriuchi Professor at Nagasaki University Graduate School Specializing in pediatricians President of the Japanese Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Director of the Japanese Society for Virology Takeshi Matsuda Former Japanese national swimming team member with four Olympic Games and four medals JOC director Born in Miyazaki Prefecture Father of three children ▼TBS NEWS DIG Official website https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/ ▼Please subscribe to our channel! / @tbsnewsdig ▼Information provided by "TBS Insiders" https://www.tbs.co.jp/news_sp/tbs-ins... ▼Video provided by "TBS Scoop Post" https://www.tbs.co.jp/news_sp/toukou.... #News #news #TBS #newsdig