Mom warns community of Hand Foot Mouth Disease after son gets infected through splash pad

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An ordinary weekend trip to a Harlingen community splash pad took a turn moments after a toddler stepped into the water.

Guadalupe Rodriguez took her 1-year-old son for some family fun at her apartment complex splash pad when she noticed her child was showing immediate signs of changed behavior.

Rodriguez told ValleyCentral she decided to cut the trip to the splash pad short and took her son home where she noticed her he began getting bumps around his mouth and arms.

"Initially we thought it was just mosquito bites, but by the following day we noticed his whole body was full of bumps and rashes," Rodriguez said.

Courtesy of Guadalupe Rodriguez

Courtesy of Guadalupe Rodriguez

In the days following the visit to the community splash pad, Rodriguez's son had a fever and no appetite.

The child's symptoms continued to intensify through the weekend, however, pediatric clinics and offices were closed prompting Rodriguez to take her son for a checkup in Mexico.

"On Sunday, we start noticing that it was getting much worse," Rodriguez said. "His rashes were getting more red. He started getting some in his mouth and his throat closed up."

Doctors in Mexico confirmed Rodriguez's 1 year old had contracted HFMD, also known as Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease.

Rodriguez's son began experiencing fevers of 106 degrees Fahrenheit which led to febrile seizures.

Since contracting the virus in mid-May, Rodriguez's son is still recovering.

Hand Foot and Mouth Disease

ValleyCentral spoke with pediatric specialist Dr. Asim Zamir with Valley Regional Medical Center and Valley Baptist in Brownsville to discuss HFMD and how to stay cautious.

Zamir explains the disease is very common among children and is caused by various viruses such as:

• Coxsackievirus, which belongs to the herpes virus family
• Enterovirus, which can cause the disease in the gastrointestinal tract

"[HFMD] gives you a rash on your hands and the palms of your hand and feet, including the soles of your feet," Zamir said. "They also give you blisters in your mouth, which is very painful."

Symptoms and precautions of HFMD

HFMD symptoms can vary based on a person's immune system, medical condition, age and the time of year.

The chances of contracting the disease increase during warmer seasons compared to colder ones.

"Humidity and hot weather promote the application of the virus," Zamir said. "They make them divide more and become more contagious or more infectious."

The virus is spread by person-to-person contact among both children and adults.

According to Zamir, the younger the patient, the stronger the symptoms are.

"It's more common in juveniles. Peak is between infants to the five years of age. It can also affect kids, adolescents and adults who have some immune system defect or diseases," Zamir said.

Zamir added that adults who are being treated for cancer, if they contract the virus it is more dangerous for them.

Symptoms to look out for are the following:

• Low grade to high grade fever up to 103 degrees Fahrenheit
• Rashes that can last up to 10 days
• Mouth blisters
• Fatigue
• Blisters that may appear like Chickenpox
• Sore throat
• Vomiting and diarrhea

Zamir advises parents to wash their hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds and disinfect any public areas your child may be in contact with.

Rodriguez told ValleyCentral she had never heard of the virus until her son got infected with HFMD.

She tells parents to be more cautious of their surroundings and what children put in their mouth.