Table of contents:
- Overview of the Singapore flu in children
- What are the signs and symptoms of flu in Singapore?
- Common symptoms of this disease are:
- 1. Fever and flu
- 2. Thrush
- 3. Rash on the skin
- 4. Other symptoms in the body
- Is Singapore flu dangerous?
Like flu, Singapore flu also occurs in children due to the entry of the virus into the body. The difference is, the Singapore flu symptoms that appear on the body, such as sores in the mouth area, appear rashes and red spots. What are the symptoms of one of these infectious diseases that parents need to know about? Check out the full explanation below!
Overview of the Singapore flu in children
Singapore flu or it can also be called Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease(HFMD) is a highly contagious viral infectious disease.
This disease is usually caused by coxsackievirus (members of the enterovirus family). Please note that this virus lives in the human digestive tract.
Anyone can be infected with this virus, but children under the age of five are the group most susceptible to catching the Singapore flu.
The virus can be spread by touching skin, dirty hands, and surfaces contaminated with the feces of an infected person.
Singapore flu can also be transmitted through the saliva, mucus, or respiratory secretions (coughing or sneezing uncovered) from an infected person.
It could also be from touching a red rash on the skin that has broken out and secretes fluid.
What are the signs and symptoms of flu in Singapore?
Quoted from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, when you have been exposed to the Singapore flu virus, there is an incubation period to see the symptoms appear.
The incubation period required for this disease is usually around 3 to 6 days.
Typically, the Singapore flu symptoms start with fever, sore throat, runny nose, and then a blistering rash begins.
Many parents think this is a symptom of smallpox, but it could actually be a sign of the Singapore flu or HFMD.
Common symptoms of this disease are:
- Fever
- Sore or sore throat
- Body feels bad
- Thrush on the tongue, gums, or the inside of the cheeks
- A red, blistering rash on the palms, feet, and sometimes buttocks (no itching)
- Loss of appetite
- Irritation in infants and toddlers
In order not to be mistaken, here is an explanation of the symptoms of the Singapore flu, namely:
1. Fever and flu
Singapore flu symptoms initially characterized by fever in children. Usually, children have a mild fever which is around 38-39ºC.
Not only fever, symptoms are also accompanied by flu symptoms in general, such as children who feel weak or not feeling well also complaining of sore throats.
These are the initial symptoms that usually strike three to six days after the virus enters the body.
2. Thrush
Not only fever and flu, there is the possibility of children experiencing other Singapore flu symptoms such as thrush.
A day or two after a fever, a red rash will develop around the mouth (tongue, gums, and inner cheeks).
Initially it starts out like small red spots, then gets inflamed and breaks into canker sores. When experiencing these symptoms the child will begin to find it difficult to eat and drink.
One way he feels comfortable is by giving him cold food or drinks.
This is to avoid the risk of dehydration in children due to lack of fluid intake.
3. Rash on the skin
This one Singapore flu symptom often makes parents fooled into thinking of smallpox.
The rash usually appears on the palms, soles of the feet, knees, elbows, buttocks, to the genital area.
Initially, the rash will look like reddish spots and may develop into blisters.
You have to be careful and prevent the child from squeezing it because the water in it contains a virus.
Not only that, these nodules can break, open, peel, and leave painful blisters on the basis of a yellowish gray color.
The sores and blisters usually go away within a week or so. The size of the Singapore flu symptom nodule can also vary. From the size of an insect bite, to like a boil.
Therefore, you also have to keep the nodule clean so that it dries quickly. Unlike the chicken pox, the symptoms of the Singapore flu do not itch.
4. Other symptoms in the body
Children who are infected with the Singapore flu may also experience muscle pain or other flu symptoms, such as:
- Irritability or restlessness
- Sleeping more or longer than usual
- Delirious while sleeping
- More saliva production due to pain in the mouth
- Headache
- Lazy to eat and just want to drink cold drinks to relieve pain
Is Singapore flu dangerous?
Singapore flu transmission is fairly easy. Children can catch the virus immediately from other people who are still sick.
If it is true that the child caught the flu from another person, symptoms usually appear 3-7 days after contact with the sufferer.
Parents may initially think that the nodule is just an ordinary canker sores. Even in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all.
Most cases of flu in Singapore can heal on their own without certain treatment. Usually, the disease will resolve spontaneously within 7-10 days.
It should be noted that until now, no vaccine has been found to prevent the symptoms of Singapore flu or HFMD.
Therefore, people with HFMD should be isolated to prevent further transmission.
The Singapore flu treatment is similar to the common cold and flu treatment - with the provision of fever medicine, pain relievers, and sufficient fluids for children.
However, it's a good idea to take your child to the doctor if you suspect he has Singapore flu symptoms, or after being treated at home the symptoms don't go away.
Moreover, in certain cases the virus that causes the Singapore flu can spread to the brain's central nervous system and cause serious complications.
Complications from Singapore flu symptoms such as meningitis, encephalitis, or infection of the heart and lungs.
However, keep in mind that serious complications like this are rarely found.
