As It Happens: Updates on COVID-19 pandemic | Philstar.com
What's Going Around: Strep, Hand, Foot And Mouth
© Provided by WHTM Harrisburg (WHTM) — This week, the providers of UPMC Children's Community Pediatrics in York and Spring Grove continue to see a lot of cases of strep throat as well as some viral stomach bugs.
Pediatricians at Penn State Health are seeing a lot of summer colds and allergies, as well as some stomach bugs and strep throat.
WellSpan Pediatric Medicine Physicians across the Midstate are seeing strep throat, allergy, and asthma flares, the flu, and other viral infections.
The CVS MinuteClinic in York continues to see patients with allergies and secondary infections, such as ear and sinus infections. They also saw viral upper respiratory infections and noticed a drop in COVID cases from previous weeks.
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Physicians Roseville Pediatrics reports a lot of viral illnesses with high fevers and sore throats. They are still seeing strep throat cases, but have also seen a rise in viral sore throats.
They have diagnosed multiple cases of hand, foot and mouth disease and saw an increase in cases of poison ivy and other plant-related rashes.
Dr. Joan Thode offered the following advice about hand, foot, and mouth.
"It's a misnomer; the lesions of this virus can and do occur anywhere from head to toe, not just on hands, feet, and mouth. It tends to concentrate in areas of increased friction, which often include the hands, feet, lips, and buttocks.
Lesions often start as small red bumps, then can progress into bubble-appearing lesions. In kids, the lesions do not typically hurt unless they occur in the mouth or throat. Then it causes a severe sore throat that can make the child less likely to want to eat. In this situation, it's most important to maintain the child's hydration.
The skin lesions on the hands and feet of teens and adults are acutely painful.
Kids are contagious a few days prior to the lesions developing and until they are fever-free for 24 hours. The lesions that are bubbled also contain viruses within the fluid and can be spread if the lesions open.
It's a virus that causes this condition, so it typically lasts three to seven days. As with any virus, it's important to maintain hydration, offer comfort measures, and call the doctor for evaluation if the fever lasts five consecutive days."
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Mouth Sores: Symptoms, Treatment, And Prevention
Mouth sores have many possible causes, such as infections, allergies, trauma, and tobacco use. Seek medical attention for certain mouth sores, including ones that have white patches or that develop after you start a new medication.
In this article, learn about the causes of mouth sores, see some pictures to help you identify them, and get some tips on treating them.
Mouth sores are common ailments that affect many people at some point in their lives.
These sores can appear on any of the soft tissues of your mouth, including the lips, inside of your cheeks, gums, tongue, and floor and roof of your mouth.
Mouth sores, which include canker sores, are usually a minor irritation and last only 1 or 2 weeks. In some cases, they can indicate an infection from a virus, such as herpes simplex, or more severe causes, such as mouth cancer.
Sores in your mouth may be caused by a common or short-lasting condition such as:
Mouth sores may also be caused by a long-lasting condition or a more serious disease, including:
Keep reading to learn about the causes and symptoms of mouth sores — and how to recognize and get rid of them.
Different conditions can cause mouth sores, according to the Merck Manual.
They may look different depending on the cause. Mouth sores can appear a different color than the surrounding tissue, including white, yellow, red, or purple.
The following images show different types of mouth sores. These images are not intended to provide a diagnosis. If you have unexplained mouth sores or mouth sores that come back or last for a long time, it is best to visit a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.
Canker soresCanker sores may look like small oval-shaped ulcers in your mouth that appear white, gray, or yellow. They may be surrounded by a red "halo" of irritation. They may also appear as a painful red area.
Canker sores are also called aphthous stomatitis or aphthous ulcers. According to 2021 research, they are common and affect about 20 percent of the general population.
They are usually harmless and heal on their own in a couple of weeks. If you have recurring ulcers, it may be due to other conditions, such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, vitamin deficiency, or HIV.
Canker sores may classified by their size. This can include:
Canker sores are commonly caused by trauma like biting the inside of your cheek, burns, allergies, or sensitivities. They may have other causes as well. However, canker sores are not contagious.
Certain conditions may make you more prone to them. These can include:
Cold sores look like fluid-filled blisters that appear near the mouth and lips. They can appear red or darker in color. The affected area may tingle or burn before the sore is visible.
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1). Outbreaks may also be accompanied by mild, flu-like symptoms, such as low fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
This virus can be dormant inside of your body. Sores may appear when the virus reactivates and last for 2 to 6 weeks, according to 2021 research. This can occur when the immune system is weak or during times of stress.
Outbreaks are more common if you:
The virus that causes cold sores is contagious and can be spread through contact with cold sores. It can be spread through kissing, sharing food, or sharing cosmetics. It is also possible to catch HSV-1 when sores cannot be seen.
Genital herpes, caused by the herpes simplex type 2 virus (HSV-2), can look similar in appearance to cold sores. Both viruses may be spread through sex without a condom or other barrier method if you or your partner has an active outbreak.
Folate deficiency and anemiaA folate deficiency is caused by not having enough folate, also known as vitamin B9. Folate is an important B vitamin used to make and repair DNA. It's critical to proper development in embryos. Being deficient in folate can also lead to folate deficiency anemia.
Anemia occurs when your supply of red blood cells is too low. When your red blood cells are reduced, damaged, or impaired, you may have problems transporting enough oxygen throughout your body. It can have an impact on different organ systems in your body.
Both folate deficiency and anemia can cause mouth sores. While folate deficiency can cause anemia, other types of anemia, like iron deficiency anemia, can cause mouth sores as well. These sores may look like small mouth ulcers or canker sores and be white, gray, yellow, or red in color.
Folate deficiency may also cause additional symptoms, including:
Anemia can also cause additional symptoms that may include:
Anemia has many causes and may occur quickly or over a long period of time. Anemia that occurs quickly may be caused by:
Chronic anemia may be related to autoimmune diseases, inherited genetic conditions, overexposure to lead, and other conditions.
GingivostomatitisGingivostomatitis is a common infection of the mouth and gums, often seen in children.
It produces tender sores on the gums or insides of the cheeks. Like canker sores, they can appear grayish or yellow on the outside and red in the center. Pain can range from mild to severe.
If you have gingivostomatitis, you may also experience mild, flu-like symptoms. These sores may also lead to drooling and pain with eating. Young children may refuse to eat.
Ulcers caused by this condition can last about 2 to 3 weeks, according to 2021 research.
Gingivostomatitis is often caused by viral infections, such as HSV-1 and coxsackievirus, and bacterial infections, such as Streptococcus. These infections can also be caused by not flossing and brushing teeth regularly.
Infectious mononucleosisInfectious mononucleosis, also known as mono, can occur with a rash. This rash can occur on the skin or inside of your mouth. Flat spots may appear pink or purple.
Infectious mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It often affects adolescents and young adults in high school and college.
Symptoms typically last for 2 to 4 weeks but may last weeks longer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Symptoms may also include:
Oral thrush is a yeast infection that develops on the inside of your mouth and on your tongue. It's most common in infants and children, but it may be a sign of a weakened immune system in adults. Having dry mouth or taking medications like antibiotics may increase your risk of developing it.
It looks like creamy white bumps that appear on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums, or tonsils and can be scraped off.
Oral thrush is caused by an overgrowth of Candida, a type of yeast that naturally occurs in the body. The CDC says this condition is usually treated with antifungal medications for 7 to 14 days.
Additional symptoms may include:
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by viruses in the enterovirus family. It's common in children under the age of 5.
It causes painful red blisters in the mouth and on the tongue and gums. You may also experience flat or raised red spots located on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, buttocks, or genital area. On darker skin tones, bumps may appear skin-colored or grayish-brown in color.
Other symptoms may include:
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is contagious but usually not serious. It usually resolves in 7 to 10 days, according to the CDC.
The infection is more contagious during the first week.
LeukoplakiaOral leukoplakia is a white patch that develops in the mouth. It is common in people who use tobacco of all kinds.
Leukoplakia may look like thick, white patches on your tongue and the lining of your mouth. They may be raised, hard, or have a "hairy" appearance.
Leukoplakia can be harmless and often goes away on its own. But 2021 research suggests 1 to 9 percent of people with this condition may develop oral cancer. If you have this condition, visit a doctor, who may take a sample of the cells for diagnosis.
Regular dental appointments may help catch leukoplakia.
Oral lichen planusOral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the mucous membranes of the gums, lips, cheeks, and tongue.
It may cause white, lacy, raised patches of tissue in the mouth that can resemble spiderwebs. It may also cause tender, swollen patches that are bright red with ulcers. Open ulcers may bleed and cause pain when you eat or brush your teeth. They may also burn or sting.
Lichen planus is not contagious. However, it is a chronic condition that cannot be cured.
Medication, such as corticosteroids and immune response medications, along with using a mild toothpaste may help manage symptoms.
Celiac diseaseCeliac disease is an atypical immune system response to gluten that can damage the lining of the small intestine. Damage to the villi — the small hair-like threads in your small intestine — may lead to poor absorption of important dietary nutrients like B vitamins, vitamin D, iron, and calcium.
Vitamin deficiency can lead to conditions like anemia. This may increase your risk of developing mouth ulcers.
Symptoms range in severity and may differ between adults and children. They can include:
In children, symptoms may include:
Celiac disease is a chronic condition and has no cure. You can manage celiac disease through diet and avoiding gluten-containing ingredients such as wheat, barley, rye, and tritical. People with celiac disease may also experience symptoms from cross contamination with these ingredients.
Mouth cancerMouth cancer, or oral cancer, is a type of cancer that originates in the mouth or oral cavity. This includes the lips, cheeks, teeth, gums, front two-thirds of the tongue, roof, and floor of the mouth. Cancer is caused by the growth and spread of abnormal cells.
Oral cancer may look like ulcers, white patches, or red patches that appear inside the mouth or on the lips and do not heal. Doctors use the terms leukoplakia and erythroplakia to describe these tissue changes inside the mouth.
Other symptoms of oral cancer may include:
If you have unexplained white patches inside your mouth, visit a doctor. They can perform a biopsy to check for cancerous or precancerous cells. Early detection of cancers such as oral cancer can improve your outlook.
Pemphigus vulgarisPemphigus vulgaris is a rare autoimmune disease. Having an autoimmune disease means that your body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in your body. Pemphigus vulgaris affects the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, nose, eyes, genitals, anus, and lungs.
It can cause painful, itchy skin blisters that break and bleed easily. Blisters in the mouth and throat may cause pain with swallowing and eating.
Symptoms of pemphigus vulgaris can include:
Treatment usually involves systemic corticosteroids. They typically take effect within 3 months, according to 2021 research.
What Is Enterovirus And How Dangerous Is It?
Enteroviruses, the most prevalent viruses in the world, are on the news agenda after health officials revealed a possible link to an "unusual" cluster of heart infections in south Wales and southwest England.
They are a group of viruses that cause a number of respiratory illnesses, which are usually mild, as well as hand, foot and mouth disease.
The vast majority of people infected – over 90 per cent – will either have no symptoms or have non-specific symptoms, such as sudden fever.
However, if the enterovirus infects the central nervous system, it can cause serious illnesses like meningitis or acute flaccid paralysis. The viruses can also spread to other organs such as the spleen, liver, bone marrow, skin and heart.
In very rare instances, young babies infected with an enterovirus can develop myocarditis.
How are enteroviruses spread?Enteroviruses are most commonly spread by coming into contact with secretions like saliva, sputum or mucus of an infected person, or their faeces.
Good hygiene practices, such as frequent hand-washing, are essential to reducing the risk of becoming infected.
What are the symptoms?Mild symptoms of enterovirus infection may include fever, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, skin rash, mouth blisters, and body and muscle aches.
In rare cases, enterovirus can cause more serious illness, like viral meningitis (infection of the covering of the spinal cord and brain) or acute flaccid myelitis.
Who is most at risk?Anyone can develop symptomatic illness caused by enteroviruses, but children, particularly those younger than 10 years old, are most likely to be infected.
People most likely to develop more severe disease are those with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, newborns or premature babies, and people who have cold stress or malnutrition.
How are they treated?Most patients with enterovirus infection recover at home. Treatment is usually supportive, aimed at relieving symptoms and making sure people keep hydrated.
People with more serious infections will need more intensive support. Antibiotics are only given if a secondary bacterial infection is suspected alongside the enterovirus.
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