Latest news with #EdithBrachoSanchez
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
New York City preparing for outbreak of SECOND 'highly contagious' virus... as cases spread to neighboring states
New York is gearing up for an outbreak of another highly contagious virus, as the number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases spike across the eastern US. As New York City is currently grappling with a Legionnaires' outbreak that has infected 67 people and killed three, doctors in the borough of Staten Island are also raising concern over an uptick in HFMD. A handful of cases have already been reported and there's been reports of increasing cases in multiple states, including Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, Kansas, and West Virginia. HFMD is a viral disease that can lead to painful lesions forming on the hands, mouth and feet as well as fever and a sore throat. It usually affects children under age 10 with the immune systems of adults typically strong enough to prevent the virus from infecting them. HFMD outbreaks most commonly occur at nurseries and schools, but immunocompromised adults are at risk, too. The CDC does not track cases of the virus so there is little data available on case numbers. However, Dr Edith Bracho-Sanchez, a pediatrician at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, revealed she has seen more cases of HFMD in the past few weeks than she has over the past decade. And Dr Natasha Burgert, a Kansas-based pediatrician and national spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics, said she has seen the same trend. 'What I'm seeing in my own practice mirrors the surge my colleagues are reporting nationwide,' she told The New York Times. HFMD is caused by the virus coxsackievirus 16. It can be passed through the air or by coming into close contact with a person who hasn't washed their hands after using the bathroom. HFMD infections tend to spike in the summer and early fall because children are more likely to mix in environments where the disease can spread, such as at summer camps, pools and theme parks, as well as the start of school. Some studies also suggest that warmer and more humid weather in the summer months may be more favorable for the survival and transmission of the viruses that cause HFMD. HFMD typically causes fever, vomiting and a rash covering the mouth, hands and feet that clears up within 10 days. But in very young patients, the illness can be much more serious and lead to seizures, triggered by inflammation of the fluid surrounding the brain. The disease is highly transmissible, spread via contact with fluids from an infected person, such as from blisters, and by swallowing infected water. Experts warn that water parks can spread the highly contagious disease if their water has not been treated properly, leaving children at risk of infection. In Philadelphia, a water park was closed for a day in July after a child who had visited the location contracted HFMD. About 10 to 15million cases of HFMD are recorded in the US every year, estimates suggest, mostly among children under five years old. Those who are infected are recommended to take over-the-counter pain medications to help relieve fever and pain caused by mouth sores. Patients are also told to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, saying this may happen because mouth sores make it painful to swallow. Children diagnosed with the disease should avoid contact with others for at least seven days in order to dodge them spreading the infection.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Doctors see surge in hand, foot and mouth cases this summer
Doctors are warning that cases of hand, foot and mouth disease are surging in the eastern U.S. this summer. There are usually some 200,000 reported cases of the viral illness each year, according to the American Medical Association, with spikes typical during summer and fall. But this summer, doctors say they're seeing even more than usual — although why remains unclear. 'I've been practicing pediatrics for about a decade. I don't think I've ever seen this many cases over a period of a few weeks,' Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez, a pediatrician at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City, told The New York Times this week. In Philadelphia, doctors told CBS News that the virus was spreading at summer camps, and a pool in the suburb of Chester was closed for a day after a reported infection. "Each of our centers across the Philadelphia and surrounding county area are seeing multiple cases," Dr. Bob Czincila, medical director of Vybe urgent care, said. Health officials in Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia, also told The Times that there have been more outbreaks in their states in 2025 compared to recent years. However, there is little concrete data because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not require that doctors report cases. The doctors have not hypothesized on the reason for the uptick in cases. Hand, foot, and mouth disease commonly spreads at daycares, schools, and through water sources. The illness, which is common in children under the age of five, can cause a painful red rash of blister-like lesions, fever, and mouth sores. Doctors say infection is usually not serious and people recover after a week or 10 days. Still, it is very contagious. Children can spread hand, foot and mouth disease from the day before the rash shows up and for several days after the rash appears, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. People are often infected by contact with viruses in fecal matter, fluid from blisters, objects and surfaces with virus particles, and virus particles in the air after a person sneezes, coughs, or even just talks. 'Sometimes those small water-filled blisters can rupture and become shallow ulcers as well, especially in the mouth, which can be painful,' Dr. Terry Yen, a pediatrician and chief medical officer at Texas Children's Urgent Care, said. To prevent infection, people should frequently wash their hands, disinfect surfaces, and avoid close contact with others. If you are infected, most cases resolve on their own, but kids with a temperature above 103 degree Fahrenheit or who have rash that spreads to other parts of the body should see a doctor, Dr. Emily Boss, director of pediatric otolaryngology at Johns Hopkins Medicine, told The Times. Treatment can help to alleviate uncomfortable symptoms. People can take pain relievers, although parents should never give aspirin to children. Instead, kids can take Tylenol and Advil in the first three days of illness, when getting ahead of symptoms can make a major difference, Dr. Natasha Burgert, a pediatrician and national spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics, told The Times. The mouth sores should be left to heal on their own. Try to eat soft foods and make sure to drink enough water to stay hydrated. The sores may make children not want to drink water. With hand, foot and mouth disease, 'you get worried about children, especially younger children, who are not eating or drinking well becoming dehydrated. That would be a concern,' Yen warned. That is why it is important to 'get children to drink more and help make them comfortable by treating the fevers and the pain.' Solve the daily Crossword
The Independent
31-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Doctors see surge in hand, foot and mouth cases this summer
Doctors are warning that cases of hand, foot and mouth disease are surging in the eastern U.S. this summer. There are usually some 200,000 reported cases of the viral illness each year, according to the American Medical Association, with spikes typical during summer and fall. But this summer, doctors say they're seeing even more than usual — although why remains unclear. 'I've been practicing pediatrics for about a decade. I don't think I've ever seen this many cases over a period of a few weeks,' Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez, a pediatrician at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City, told The New York Times this week. In Philadelphia, doctors told CBS News that the virus was spreading at summer camps, and a pool in the suburb of Chester was closed for a day after a reported infection. "Each of our centers across the Philadelphia and surrounding county area are seeing multiple cases," Dr. Bob Czincila, medical director of Vybe urgent care, said. Health officials in Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia, also told The Times that there have been more outbreaks in their states in 2025 compared to recent years. However, there is little concrete data because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not require that doctors report cases. The doctors have not hypothesized on the reason for the uptick in cases. Hand, foot, and mouth disease commonly spreads at daycares, schools, and through water sources. The illness, which is common in children under the age of five, can cause a painful red rash of blister-like lesions, fever, and mouth sores. Doctors say infection is usually not serious and people recover after a week or 10 days. Still, it is very contagious. Children can spread hand, foot and mouth disease from the day before the rash shows up and for several days after the rash appears, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. People are often infected by contact with viruses in fecal matter, fluid from blisters, objects and surfaces with virus particles, and virus particles in the air after a person sneezes, coughs, or even just talks. 'Sometimes those small water-filled blisters can rupture and become shallow ulcers as well, especially in the mouth, which can be painful,' Dr. Terry Yen, a pediatrician and chief medical officer at Texas Children's Urgent Care, said. To prevent infection, people should frequently wash their hands, disinfect surfaces, and avoid close contact with others. If you are infected, most cases resolve on their own, but kids with a temperature above 103 degree Fahrenheit or who have rash that spreads to other parts of the body should see a doctor, Dr. Emily Boss, director of pediatric otolaryngology at Johns Hopkins Medicine, told The Times. Treatment can help to alleviate uncomfortable symptoms. People can take pain relievers, although parents should never give aspirin to children. Instead, kids can take Tylenol and Advil in the first three days of illness, when getting ahead of symptoms can make a major difference, Dr. Natasha Burgert, a pediatrician and national spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics, told The Times. The mouth sores should be left to heal on their own. Try to eat soft foods and make sure to drink enough water to stay hydrated. The sores may make children not want to drink water. With hand, foot and mouth disease, 'you get worried about children, especially younger children, who are not eating or drinking well becoming dehydrated. That would be a concern,' Yen warned. That is why it is important to 'get children to drink more and help make them comfortable by treating the fevers and the pain.'
