
Cases of hand, foot & mouth disease on rise in monsoon
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Doctors across district hospitals and private clinics have reported a surge in consultations involving symptoms such as fever, painful mouth sores, and rashes or blisters on the hands, feet, and buttocks.
According to medical experts, HFMD, a highly contagious viral illness, is primarily caused by the coxsackievirus. It spreads through contact with an infected person's nasal discharge, saliva, blister fluid, or contaminated surfaces.
Although considered mild in most cases, experts warn that delays in treatment or neglecting hygiene can lead to complications such as dehydration, and secondary infections.
Monika Devi, a resident of Kantatoli and mother of a three-year-old girl, said, "My daughter developed a fever followed by red rashes on her hands and legs. Initially, we thought it was a mosquito allergy or heat rash, but the blisters worsened.
When we consulted the doctor, he diagnosed it as HFMD. This was the first time we have heard of such a disease."
Ravi Kumar, father of a two-year-old boy in Kadru, said, "He refused to eat or drink anything because his mouth was sore. We took him to a paediatrician who confirmed HFMD. Then the treatment continued."
Dr Anitabh Kumar from New Born and Child Specialist Clinic, said, "Within a day or two, painful red spots appear in the mouth, and later, rashes develop on hands and feet. The number of cases has seen a steady rise over the past three days, with over 10 new patients being reported daily which was earlier zero. "
Dr Rajesh Kumar, director of Balpan Hospital, said, "This virus thrives in humid conditions, making monsoon the peak season for outbreaks.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Frequent hand washing, cleaning toys and surfaces, and avoiding close contact with infected children are key to preventing transmission."
While there is no specific antiviral treatment for HFMD, doctors recommend maintaining hydration, and applying soothing lotions for blisters.
"While most cases are mild, timely care and hygiene play a crucial role in recovery and preventing outbreaks," said Dr Amit Mohan, a paediatrician in Kadru.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
09-07-2025
- Time of India
Cases of hand, foot & mouth disease on rise in monsoon
Ranchi: Amid the ongoing monsoon, paediatricians in the city are witnessing rising cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), especially among children aged between 1 and 5 years, since the last week. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Doctors across district hospitals and private clinics have reported a surge in consultations involving symptoms such as fever, painful mouth sores, and rashes or blisters on the hands, feet, and buttocks. According to medical experts, HFMD, a highly contagious viral illness, is primarily caused by the coxsackievirus. It spreads through contact with an infected person's nasal discharge, saliva, blister fluid, or contaminated surfaces. Although considered mild in most cases, experts warn that delays in treatment or neglecting hygiene can lead to complications such as dehydration, and secondary infections. Monika Devi, a resident of Kantatoli and mother of a three-year-old girl, said, "My daughter developed a fever followed by red rashes on her hands and legs. Initially, we thought it was a mosquito allergy or heat rash, but the blisters worsened. When we consulted the doctor, he diagnosed it as HFMD. This was the first time we have heard of such a disease." Ravi Kumar, father of a two-year-old boy in Kadru, said, "He refused to eat or drink anything because his mouth was sore. We took him to a paediatrician who confirmed HFMD. Then the treatment continued." Dr Anitabh Kumar from New Born and Child Specialist Clinic, said, "Within a day or two, painful red spots appear in the mouth, and later, rashes develop on hands and feet. The number of cases has seen a steady rise over the past three days, with over 10 new patients being reported daily which was earlier zero. " Dr Rajesh Kumar, director of Balpan Hospital, said, "This virus thrives in humid conditions, making monsoon the peak season for outbreaks. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Frequent hand washing, cleaning toys and surfaces, and avoiding close contact with infected children are key to preventing transmission." While there is no specific antiviral treatment for HFMD, doctors recommend maintaining hydration, and applying soothing lotions for blisters. "While most cases are mild, timely care and hygiene play a crucial role in recovery and preventing outbreaks," said Dr Amit Mohan, a paediatrician in Kadru.


News18
03-07-2025
- News18
Why Kids Fall Sick Every Monsoon - And It's Not Just Cough and Cold Anymore
Last Updated: The sound of rain may feel romantic to some, but for parents? It's a seasonal alarm bell. Not just puddles and power cuts, an annual wave of infections that hit kids the hardest. Warm clothes? Check. Fever meds? Check. Mosquito repellents, cough syrup, a thermos full of warm water? Check. This isn't a camping checklist. This is what Megha Gopinath, mother of two school-going kids aged 13 and 8 in Bengaluru, ticks off every morning once the monsoon arrives. 'The moment one of them starts coughing, turmeric milk becomes non-negotiable. Thankfully, they aren't fussy anymore; they got used to it during COVID," she says, juggling tiffin boxes and umbrellas. The sound of rain may feel romantic to some, but for parents? It's a seasonal alarm bell. Monsoon doesn't just bring puddles and power cuts, it brings an annual wave of infections that hit kids the hardest. Why Monsoon = Virus Party for Kids 'This weather is perfect for viruses," warns Dr. Vishwanath Bhat B K, Pediatrician and Neonatologist at Radhakrishna Multispeciality Hospital, Bengaluru. 'High humidity triggers viruses to come out of dormancy. This muggy weather becomes a breeding ground for respiratory, skin, and digestive infections." The most common? Respiratory infections like bronchiolitis, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), and influenza variants like H1N1. Particularly, infants aged between 2 months to 2 years are highly vulnerable, says Dr. Bhat. 'The good part is most viral infections in children are self-limiting. They resolve with good supportive care," he adds. The sniffles and sore throats are just the opening act. 'Respiratory issues that escalate rapidly in kids under six are a real worry," says Dr. Mounnish Balaji, Pediatric Pulmonologist – allergy and sleep specialist at Ankura Hospital for Women and Child, Pune. What starts as a cold can often end up as wheezing, pneumonia, or bronchiolitis. The cold virus can slip down to the lungs, shrinking the tiny airways. 'Unlike adults, 90% of wheezing in children shows up as repeated coughing and disturbed sleep, not classic breathing difficulty," Dr. Balaji explains. 'Out of every 20 patients I see, 12 are wheezers this season." The Nebulizer Mistake Most Parents Make Dr. Balaji highlights a major error: overuse of nebulizers. 'Parents think nebulizing is the treatment. It's not. It's an emergency relief trick." The real fix? 'Target the airway inflammation itself using inhalers and controller medications not just open the airway temporarily." Visiting a paediatrician is definitely the key here. New Trouble This Monsoon: HFMD and Stomach Bugs Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) Paediatricians across cities are reporting a sharp rise in HFMD — a contagious viral infection that causes red rashes, painful blisters on hands, feet, mouth, and sometimes the buttocks. It typically affects children below 10 years. 'HFMD spreads rapidly in schools and playgroups. Most cases resolve in 7–10 days, but it's highly uncomfortable with painful mouth sores and fever. Reddish rashes around the neck is a definite indication" warns Dr. Bhat. HFMD spreads through saliva, nasal discharge, and surfaces, making classrooms and playgrounds high-risk spaces. Digestive Infections on the Rise It's not just cough and cold. Monsoon also brings a surge in stomach infections — from mild food poisoning to viral gastroenteritis. 'Cases of diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and dehydration among children are also very common this season" says Dr. Balaji. The culprits? Contaminated water, street food, and poor hygiene. 'Digestive infections weaken immunity further, making kids more susceptible to secondary infections like respiratory viruses or skin infections," he adds. When to See the Doctor – No Delays Here If fever persists beyond 3 days. If cough doesn't settle after 5 days. Rashes, mouth sores, or blisters If there's diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or signs of dehydration (dry lips, low urine output). If child has difficulty breathing, noisy wheezing, or poor sleep due to cough. Do's: Stick to home-cooked, warm meals. Apply mosquito repellent creams. Avoid sprays indoors to reduce respiratory triggers. Change clothes immediately after school; a hot shower is even better. Teach and enforce handwashing and foot cleaning. Keep sick kids at home – whether it's cough, fever, or even mild diarrhea. HFMD and viral infections spread like wildfire in classrooms. Don'ts: Don't rely solely on nebulizers. Use them only with pediatrician advice. Avoid street food, raw salads, and uncovered snacks during the monsoon. Don't ignore persistent coughs, it could signal deeper lung involvement. Stop sending kids to crowded classes or play areas if they're unwell. Why This Monsoon Feels Worse Than Usual 'Post-COVID, children's immunity has changed. We're seeing higher numbers of RSV, HFMD, and gastrointestinal infections than we did 5 years ago," Dr. Bhat points out. Data backs this up. A 2023 Lancet study on post-pandemic immunity trends found that respiratory and digestive infections among children in urban India surged by nearly 28% compared to pre-2020 levels. Prevention Beats Cure. Always. Doctors agree on one thing prevention is your best medicine this monsoon. A disciplined routine of hygiene, hydration, and prompt care can save parents weeks of worry. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : child health monsoon care tips Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 02, 2025, 15:18 IST News lifestyle Why Kids Fall Sick Every Monsoon - And It's Not Just Cough and Cold Anymore


Time of India
07-06-2025
- Time of India
Ayurvedic & herbal products manufacturers in Indore ramp up production as Covid cases increase
Indore: As Covid-19 cases are witnessing an uptick, manufacturers of Ayurvedic and herbal products in Indore have ramped up their production capacities, anticipating a surge in demand for immunity-boosting products. Usually, summers remain the lean season for immunity booster syrups and tablets, but the resurgence of Covid-19 cases led to a jump in enquiries, prompting many units to prepare for increased production ahead of their usual season. Ayush Nirmata Sangh secretary Ashish Dubey said, "We are anticipating a surge in demand for immunity boosters as cases of Covid-19 again started to increase. Many units started preparations and are gradually increasing production." Another manufacturer owner of a local Ayurvedic firm Ravi Kumar said, "We saw an increase in enquiries for our immunity products. To meet this demand, we are expanding our operations to ensure we can deliver quality products to our customers promptly. Also, monsoon and winters are main demand period of Ayurvedic products when demand rises." Industry insiders noted that if the consumption of these products would not meet their expectations, they would still find a market during the monsoon and winter seasons when the demand for syrups and immunity boosters typically spikes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Ayurvedic products produced in Indore are distributed across various states in India, including Delhi, Punjab, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, according to local manufacturers. In response to the heightened demand, many manufacturing units are transitioning to automatic production processes, while others are opting for semi-automatic configurations to enhance efficiency. Indore is home to around 240 Ayurvedic medicine manufacturing units, with the total market size exceeding an impressive Rs 1000 crore, as reported by Ayush Nirmata Sangh.