Dear Parents/ Guardians,
This letter is being sent to keep you informed of health concerns we have for our students. We have received a report that one or more of our students has Hand-Foot and Mouth Disease, Because this is a communicable disease, I would like you to be aware of the information that we have received from the Illinois Department of Publio Health. What is hand-foot and mouth? Hand foot and mouth disease is a mild viral illness, occurring most often in children under the age of five. Cases also occur inchildren and adults. It usually starts with a sore throat and low-grade fever that last 1 to 2 days. Vesicles (small blisters containing clear fluid), resembling those occurring in chickenpox, occur inside the mouth and throat, on the lips, fingers, hands and feet. The vesicles break easily and form small ulcers. There is usually a small red area around these ulcers. How are people exposed to hand-foot and mouth disease? By direct contact with saliva, nasal discharge, and/or feces of infected persons. Some people infected with these viruses appear healthy with no symptoms of the illness. Is hand-foot and mouth discase serious? NO. It is a self-limiting disease, which will ordinarily resolve without treatment, If your physician decides to prescribe treatment, the treatment will be to alleviate the symptoms, not cure the disease. What should I do if my child has hand-foot and mouth discase? Inform the school, Keep your child away from others while the symptoms are present. If fever is present give your child plenty of rest and fluids. WASH HANDS following contact with body secretions. If you have any further concerns or questions, please feel free to contact me.
District 110 Healthcare Provider