Cases of hand, foot and mouth have been popping up in Central.

The viral illness is more common in warm weather according to the Ministry of Health.

It is more common in tamariki (children) under 10 but anyone can get the virus, even adults. 

Some Central primary schools have communicated with whānau in newsletters about the disease, along with whooping cough. 

The Central App spoke to the partner of an Alexandra man who recently caught it.

“He had it pretty bad, he was sick for over a week . . . and the worst symptom was the hands, feet and mouth ulcers, the itching and the scratching. 

“All the skin is now peeling off his feet . . . It's hideous. 

“He went to the doctor, and they said there is not much they can do for it, they say painkillers basically and they offer you cream to help stop the itching.” 

Like other viruses, hand foot and mouth spreads by coughing or sneezing, or by contact with mucus, saliva, blisters or the poo of an infected person.

Tamariki can also easily catch the disease by touching things such as toys and then putting their hands or toys in their mouth.

Frequent handwashing can help decrease the chance of spreading the infection.  

A spokesperson for Alexandra’s Dunstan Educare said they had not had any cases recently but “it’s something you really don’t want for Christmas”.

Symptoms to look out for in children. PHOTO: Ministry of Health. 

Symptoms start about four to six days after infection and you may have a fever initially. 

Along with the blisters, a loss of appetite, sore throat, headache and general feeling of tiredness can occur. 

Children can return to early childhood education or kura (school) once all the blisters have dried.

Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 or take your child to a health professional if they haven't been able to drink because of a painful mouth, they have had fewer than four wet nappies in a day, or they seem to be getting worse or are not getting better after a few days.

See information about HFMD on Kids Health

Read more: Whooping cough epidemic what to look for

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