If a client calls to report an absence because their child has HFMD, ask them when they were last at the swim school. If the infected child was in the swim school within 2-3 days of infection:
- Notify the front desk of that location to let them know there has been a possible exposure.
- Site supervisors and booking centers should work together to keep an eye/ ear out for any further cases reported.
- If more than one case is reported within the same week, notify General Manager.
If a client calls and claims that their child contracted HFMD from our swim school, we can reply with the following response as appropriate:
“Thank you for alerting us. We are aware that hand foot mouth disease is a common childhood illness and can be found in places where there is a high volume of children such as grocery stores, schools, museums, playgrounds and possibly Hubbard. While we do perform daily cleaning to our facilities, we will ALERT our staff to take extra care to clean common surfaces, play areas, and changing areas throughout the day. Please keep us updated with any concerns and please contact your pediatrician with any further questions. We hope your child feels better soon!”
Please see next page for information regarding HFMD
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/features/handfootmouthdisease/index.html
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, or HFMD, is a contagious illness caused by different viruses. It is common in infants and children younger than 5 years old, because they do not yet have immunity (protection) to the viruses that cause HFMD. However, older children and adults can also get HFMD. In the United States it is more common for people to get HFMD during spring, summer, and fall.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
These symptoms usually appear in stages, not all at once. Not everyone will have all of these symptoms. Some people may show no symptoms at all, but they can still pass the virus to others.
- Fever
- Reduced appetite
- Sore throat
- Feeling unwell
- Painful mouth sores that usually begin as flat red spots
- Rash of flat red spots that may blister on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and sometimes the knees, elbows, buttocks, and/or genital area
HOW IT SPREADS
Adenovirus can spread from an infected person to an uninfected person through:
- Close contact, such as kissing, hugging, or sharing cups and eating utensils
- Coughing and sneezing
- Contact with poop, for example when changing a diaper
- Contact with blister fluid
- Touching objects or surfaces that have the virus on them
PREVENTION
You can reduce the risk of getting infected with the viruses that cause HFMD by following a few simple steps:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
TREATMENT
No treatment available other than to treat the symptoms.