Posts

Foot and mouth.  Normally when I hear those words, I think of those embarrassing situations where something is said that shouldn’t have been, you know, ‘Open mouth, insert foot’.  But at Student Health, when foot and mouth is mentioned, it’s more likely to be due to Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease.  And lately, we’ve it’s been mentioned a few times.

Rash/blisters on hands and feet

Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease is a viral illness that’s typically associated with young children, but can occur in adults.  The disease starts gradually with a fever, sore throat, poor appetite, and just not feeling well.  After a couple of days painful sores develop in the mouth.  A skin rash may also develop on the palms or soles of the feet.  In some cases fingernail or toenail loss may occur.  (These do regrow without requiring medical treatment.)

This is a contagious disease that is spread through close person-to-person contact, saliva, fluid from blisters, stool, and respiratory droplets in the air after a cough or sneeze.  Pretty much the same way as most viruses.

The best way to avoid getting Hand, Foot, and Mouth is to wash your hands often with soap and water, disinfect frequently touched surfaces, and avoid close contact with someone who is infected.

If you do become ill with the disease, treatment includes:

• Rest
• Plenty of fluids
• Over the counter medications to relieve fever and pain
• Mouthwashes or sprays that numb the mouth

To aid with the discomfort of mouth sores:

• Suck on popsicles or ice chips
• Drink cold beverages
• Avoid acidic foods and beverages such as citrus, fruit drink, and soda
• Avoid salty and spicy foods
• Rinse your mouth with warm water after meals

If your symptoms worsen or just don’t seem to get better after a couple days, seek medical treatment.

Submitted by Tina Comston, M.Ed.

Reviewed by Mary Lynn Kiacz, M.D.

If Ebola is rare why is it a problem in West Africa?  It can all be boiled down to one word – LACK.

LACK of understanding:  People do not understand how Ebola is transmitted.  Some believe that just saying the word aloud will make the disease appear while others blame physicians for the spread of the virus.  They have hidden family members rather than sending them to facilities to avoid quarantine.

LACK of medical supplies:  Medical supplies, such as gloves and needles are reused.  If not properly disinfected,

Reuse of medical supplies contributes to the spread of Ebola.

Ebola can be transferred  to a patient who was not previously infected.

LACK of health care workers:  In this area of the world there is approximately 1 doctor for every 10,000 people.    Health care workers from other countries, dressed in hazmat suits, are often not trusted and end up going home.

LACK of proper burial techniques:  Traditional funeral practices include washing the body by hand and touching the body at the funeral.     Both the body and objects which could have been contaminated should be cleaned and disinfected.  However, burial teams have literally been chased out of town when attempting to implement these practices.

Perhaps one day, when the above obstacles are overcome, the word LACK will be used to indicate the presence of Ebola in the world.

Submitted by JoHanna D’Epiro, P.A.

Edited by Tina Comston, M.Ed.

Reviewed by Gladys Gibbs, M.D.

Worried – no.  Informed – yes.

Ebola is rare.  It is not an airborne illness and is not easily spread –

West African countries affected by Ebola.

so disregard any thoughts of The Last Ship (www.tstdrama.com/TheLastShip) scenario playing out any time in the near future.

Presently the Ebola outbreak is concentrated in West Africa, specifically Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Nigeria.  That’s approximately 5,000 miles away from The Ohio State University.  That being said, with the ease of travel these days, someone could be in West Africa today and on campus tomorrow, so it’s good to be informed.

Here’s what you need to know:

Ebola is spread through direct contact with bodily secretions (stool, urine, saliva, or sweat).  This could be through:

• Coming in contact with a secretion, perhaps while caring for someone, and then touching your eyes, nose,  mouth, or an open wound
• Touching an object that has been contaminated and then touching your eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound
• Eating/handling infected animals (bats, monkeys, rodents, pigs)

The incubation period, that is, the time from contact with the virus until symptoms occur, is usually 5 to 7 days but can last as long as  21 days.  Individuals with no symptoms are not contagious.

Symptoms of Ebola include:

• High fever, > 101.5
• Severe headache
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain

If you have been in direct personal contact with anyone who is from or has traveled to one of the West Africa countries listed above or have handled an animal from one of these countries and you experience these symptoms, seek care at the Wexner Medical Center.

If you will be traveling to Africa, the CDC recommends the following:

• Careful attention to hygiene. Avoid direct contact with blood and body fluids.
• Do not handle items that may have contacted infected person’s blood or body fluids.
• Avoid contact with animals or raw meat.
• Avoid foreign hospitals where Ebola patients are being treated.  The US Embassy or consulate can provide information on facilities that are suitable for your needs.
• Monitor health for 21 days if you were in an area with an Ebola outbreak .

Submitted by JoHanna D’Epiro, P.A.

Edited by Tina Comston, M.Ed.

Reviewed by Mary Lynn Kiacz, M.D., Gladys Gibbs, M.D.