Adults get HFMD, too

WHILE the rest of the nation revelled in the National Day celebrations two weeks ago, finance manager Tan Yeow Kim was nursing a fever and had one of the worst cases of body aches he had ever experienced.

He thought it was the seasonal flu.

But by the third day, multiple fluid-filled blisters began appearing on his fingers and feet. He also developed ulcers in his mouth and on his lips.

A doctor confirmed it as Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD).

Mr Tan knew where he had caught it from - his two children.

Mr Tan said he was "very surprised" that he had contracted the disease because he thought it afflicted only children.

Like him, many people are unaware that although the chance of an adult being infected is lower, it is possible for an adult to catch HFMD from his or her children, said Dr Sonal Singhal from the Health Promotion Board's (HPB) Youth Health Division. MORE