Causes, Symptoms, Transmission and Treatment

KOMPAS.com – Singapore flu is a highly contagious disease, and it is vulnerable to attack children in a number of countries in Asia.

In the medical world, the Singapore Flu is known as Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) or hand foot mouth disease.

Reporting from the official website of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), the Singapore Flu has been around since 1957 and first appeared in Toronto, Canada.

Read also: Many Singapore Flu Strikes Children in Malaysia to Indonesia, What Is It?

It was known as the “Singapore Flu” because of its flu-like symptoms, and at that time in Singapore there were many cases and deaths from this disease.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) on its official website explained, HFMD generally attacks children more, but adults and people with good immune systems can also be infected with the HFMD virus.

However, in adults and people with a good immune system when infected with the Singapore Flu, there are no symptoms at all (asymptomatic).

Causes of the Singapore Flu

HFMD is disease caused by viruses of the genus Enterovirus.

The most common enterovirus species that cause HFMD are Coxsackievirus and Human Enterovirus 71 (HEV 71).

Singapore Flu Symptoms

HFMD generally begins with several symptoms that are almost similar to the symptoms of other diseases, but this infection attacks and makes these symptoms worse, which in some cases even causes complications to occur.

IDAI and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have informed some of the early symptoms of the Singapore Flu or HFMD to watch out for.

– Fever
– Sore throat or swallowing
– Decreased appetite
– Pain or not feeling well
– Drooling more than usual
– Just want to drink cold liquid
– Rashes on the palms of the hands and feet

After one to two days of fever, red spots will appear in the oral cavity which then break into canker sores.

Red spots in the oral cavity, usually starting at the back of the roof of the mouth.

IDAI explained that although there are abnormalities of the mucous membranes and skin in HFMD, mainly involving the oral cavity, palms and feet, but the rash can also occur on the legs, arms, buttocks and skin around the genitals.

These rashes from Singapore Flu usually look like flat red spots, sometimes with blisters.

The CDC says, this disease tends to attack more children aged 5 years and under.

Among children infected with Singapore Flu, they have symptoms of about 7 to 10 days of incubation.

Read also: Spanish Flu Outbreak, Worst Outbreak In The World But Not From Spain

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