The Iloilo City Health Office (CHO) underscored the need for the early detection of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) as its symptoms of rashes and fever are almost similar to dengue.

“Early consultation is important because the early presentations of fever and rashes are similar to dengue. When left unattended, with the thought that the HFMD will not worsen, we don’t know if our child is already suffering from dengue,” city assistant health officer Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna said in a press conference yesterday.

From January 1 to February 27 this year, the city recorded 307 cases of HFMD, 14 of which are still active and being home-managed while the rest have recovered.

Over the same period, it has logged 85 dengue cases, six of which are active, 77 have recovered, and two died.

“Majority are within the one- to 10-year-old age group,” Fortuna said.

He said amid the increase in cases of HFMD, there are no criteria for the declaration of an outbreak.

He noted that if given proper supportive treatment, the disease will last from seven to 10 days.

The city has recorded five and 58 cases for the whole year of 2021 and 2022, respectively.

“HFMD is not that serious when compared with dengue, but it is very contagious. The only complication is the superimposed bacterial infections in lesions, rashes, and mouth,” Dr. June Frances Umani, CHO focal person for the emerging and re-emerging infectious disease program, said during the same press conference.

Other patients can be hospitalized if they can’t eat due to mouth sores, she added.

The district health personnel of CHO have already gone massive in their information drive the public and private elementary schools to talk about preventive measures, such as disinfection, wearing masks, and refraining from sharing things.

It is also advised that the infected child should be isolated to prevent the spread of the disease. (PNA)