4 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease are confirmed in Desert Hot Springs elementary school

There were recently four confirmed cases of hand, foot and mouth disease at an elementary school in Desert Hot Springs.

Parents with children in kindergarten and first grade were sent a letter warning them about possible exposure to the disease.

One doctor said while it sounds terrible, the name is scarier than the illness.

“The virus is called Coxsackie. It’s within the same family [as] chicken pox. It’s not necessarily though as significant of a disease,” pediatrician Ernesto Millan said.

Millan said the disease causes painful blisters on the inside of the mouth, hands and feet.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it can be spread through saliva, blister fluid and feces. That is why doctors recommend people wash their hands often.

“If you live with the person, there’s not much you can do other than [wash your hands], you know, just keeping it from spreading to someone else and of course, like you tell all the kids, cover your cough,” Millan said.

Millan said it’s usually seen in children under six and lasts about 10 days.
It’s a virus and doctors can only treat the symptoms, such as fever, rash, and blisters.

“We offer Tylenol for significant fever of 102 degrees and higher. We provide and encourage oral and liquid intakes to make sure they are not getting dehydrated,” Dr. Millan said.

Millan said a child is no longer contagious even if a rash remains once symptoms like fever and pain from the blisters are relieved.

He says students can return to school after those symptoms have cleared-up.

Prevention Tips:

Wash any clothing and bed linens used by someone carrying the virus Avoid using shared items in the home Wash hands regularly and frequently to prevent the spread of the virus Throw away all toothbrushes used in the home by family members and replace with new ones

More information can be found on the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention’s website.