Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Impetigo

We have recently had confirmed cases of students with hand-foot-and-mouth disease as well as impetigo.

Some of the symptoms of hand-foot-and-mouth disease may include:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Feeling of being unwell (malaise)
• Painful, red, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks
• A red rash, without itching but sometimes with blistering, on the palms, soles and sometimes the buttocks
• Irritability in infants and toddlers
• Loss of appetite

Some of the symptoms of impetigo may include:

• red sores that quickly rupture, ooze for a few days, then for a yellowish-brown crust
• itching and soreness is usually mild

Both hand-foot-and-mouth disease and impetigo are easily spread through person-to-person contact.  Students are reminded to wash their hands frequently with soap and water and to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

If we are advised of a confirmed case of hand-foot-and-mouth disease or impetigo in your child’s classroom, a thorough sanitization of that room will be performed to reduce the risk for students.  In addition, a note will be sent home with your child advising you of a confirmed case of the particular disease.

If you have concerns or have noticed anything unusual with your child, please contact your medical practitioner. Please feel free to contact Mr. Smith or Mr. Schinkel if you require further information.