Pets for many people are full members of the family. Dogs and cats are contacted daily by both adults and children. In villages, almost every family can meet cattle, sheep or pigs. However, any of the pets can cause a dangerous infectious disease - foot and mouth disease. In people, the disease is severe. In today's article, we will dwell in more detail on the main manifestations and methods of its treatment.
Medical certificate
Foot and mouth disease is an infectious pathology of the acute course, which occurs as a result of the penetration of a specific virus into the body. It has been known to science for more than 400 years, but the pathogen was detected only in 1897 by Frotham and Lefler. Scientists noticed a similar clinical picture in humans and animals, so they became interested in the manifestations of the disease. In both cases, it was noted:
- oral ulcers;
- profuse salivation;
- skeletal muscle and myocardial damage;
- in animals, parts of the body devoid of hair were also affected.
Causative agent of infection
The causative agent of foot and mouth disease in humans is a virus belonging to the genus of aphthoviruses. It can be safely attributed to the group of microorganisms extremely resistant to external factors. The virus cannot be eliminated by means of disinfectants, drying or freezing. It retains activity in soil and water. The destruction occurs only under prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays or when heated with simultaneous treatment with alkali solutions.
Infection pathways
Foot and mouth disease prefers mainly artiodactyl domestic animals (goats, pigs, horses, sheep). Also, cases of transmission of infection were detected when a person was in contact with cats, dogs, rabbits and rats. Outbreaks occur in the form of an epidemic. Already recovered individuals can re-become carriers of the virus and transmit it to others.
Foot and mouth disease in people can be called a professional ailment. The chances of contracting it are especially great among agricultural workers who monitor cattle. We are talking about veterinarians, milkmaids, cleaning people in pens.
There are several options for transmitting the virus from animal to human:
- airborne droplet;
- direct (when caring for a sick animal and through abrasions or cuts on the skin);
- through objects that have stool or saliva from diseased individuals.
Infection can occur by eating raw milk or meat obtained from unhealthy sheep or pigs. This type of infection is recognized as the most common and accounts for up to 65% of all cases.
Features of pathogenesis
The foot and mouth disease virus enters the human body through mucous tissues or microtraumas on the skin. In the area of the entrance gate, an afta is formed - a small sore. The incubation period of foot and mouth disease in humans lasts from 2 to 6 days (in rare cases, this period lasts up to 10 days). At its end, the virus enters the bloodstream and begins to spread throughout the body.
After a while, he again falls on the oral mucosa, as a result of which aphthae and vesicles appear on it. Cavity formations have a diameter of at least 5 cm and are filled with serous secretion. Vesicles can be located not only in the oral cavity, but also on the skin around the nail, between the fingers and toes.
Clinical picture
The onset of the disease usually proceeds in an acute form. Patients complain of chills. After about 3-4 hours, a sharp increase in temperature to 39 degrees is observed. Symptoms of foot and mouth disease in humans at this stage are also manifested by headache, decreased appetite and muscle discomfort.
A little later, the clinical picture changes and is supplemented by the following disorders:
- burning sensation in the oral cavity;
- severe pain while chewing food;
- aphthous rashes on the mucous membranes;
- signs of inflammation in the mouth;
- profuse salivation.
High temperature usually persists for 5-6 days. When the initial manifestations of the fever subside, a blood test shows an increase in the number of eosinophils.
The disease of foot and mouth disease in an adult person is tolerated quite easily. However, it is very difficult to cope with it to the children's body. Rashes on the mucous membranes are much more abundant, and painful sensations are stronger. With weakened immunity, the gastrointestinal tract is involved in the pathological process, which is accompanied by an indigestion.
Diagnostic Methods
In humans, the symptoms of foot and mouth disease are difficult to confuse with the manifestations of other pathologies. The disease has a pronounced clinical picture. On the other hand, the presence of erased forms of the disease and the similarity of its signs with other disorders complicates the diagnosis somewhat. For example, foot and mouth disease can be confused with chickenpox, erythema and herpetic stomatitis. In any case, if you feel unwell, you need to seek help from a doctor.
Diagnosis of the disease begins with an examination of the patient and a study of his medical history. The specialist can ask a number of clarifying questions to get the full picture. For example, whether in the recent past there was contact with sick animals, whether the patient consumed raw milk, in what area he lives, etc. Laboratory tests are additionally prescribed:
- blood and stool tests;
- serological reactions to detect antibodies to the pathogen in the blood.
If the preliminary diagnosis is confirmed, the patient is subject to mandatory hospitalization. In the specialized department of the hospital, he must spend at least 2 weeks under the supervision of doctors. Specific treatment of pathology is not provided. The standard course of therapy is aimed at stopping the first signs of foot and mouth disease in humans, preventing the development of complications.
Drug therapy
To normalize the patient's condition and stop unpleasant symptoms, the following groups of medicines are used:
- Antiviral drugs for topical use (Bonafton, Vivorax).
- Antiseptic sprays ("Miramistin", "Orasept"). They prevent the attachment of a secondary infection.
- Antiviral medicines for internal use ("Acyclovir", "Kagocel", "Ingavirin"). Such drugs are used as part of complex therapy.
- Antihistamines (Suprastin, Tavegil). Such drugs are prescribed to prevent allergic reactions.
In addition, symptomatic therapy can be prescribed, which includes the use of antipyretic and analgesic drugs (Panadol, Nurofen). In case of bacterial infection, antibiotics are prescribed. For general strengthening purposes, vitamin complexes are used.
Physiotherapy
Various physiotherapeutic procedures help relieve inflammation and significantly accelerate the healing of affected areas. For example, laser shows excellent results. Treatment of foot and mouth disease in humans with its help is carried out only in a hospital. First, the doctor applies a solution of methylene blue to the affected areas, and then exposes it with a laser beam for 5 minutes. The standard course of treatment includes up to 10 procedures.
In humans, foot and mouth disease is always accompanied by damage to the mucous membranes. Aerosol therapy is used to eliminate this disorder. Thanks to the advance electrification, drugs stay much longer in the tissues. The medicines themselves enter the body in the form of aerosols.
Prognosis for recovery
In humans, foot-and-mouth disease has a favorable prognosis for recovery. With proper care and treatment, there are no traces of wounds on the skin. In medical practice, cases of severe course of the pathological process are known. As a rule, they are found in young children. Late diagnosis of the disease in patients of this category can lead to complications and even death.
Lack of timely hospitalization and neglect of prescribed therapy is fraught with negative consequences. Foot and mouth disease in humans can provoke inflammation of the heart muscle and lungs. In some cases, sepsis develops.
After the infection, the patient forms the so-called type-specific immunity. This is a natural virus immunity. Its duration depends on many factors, including the presence of antibodies in the body. As a rule, this period is up to 1.5 years.
Prevention Methods
Prevention of foot and mouth disease boils down to the prevention of epidemiological situations in agriculture. When symptoms of the disease appear in at least one animal, strict quarantine is introduced. This individual must be isolated and a complete disinfection of the premises. Processing also includes care products, clothing, and all work equipment. This issue is addressed by the special sanitary service.
For the prevention of foot and mouth disease in people, it is necessary to strictly adhere to safety instructions when working on a farm. At the end of the day, you must wash your hands, and wear special clothing during working hours.
Since infection usually occurs through dairy products, doctors strongly recommend consuming them only after proper heat treatment. Cooking meat should be approached with caution. It must be well cooked. After cooking, the dishes in which the food was prepared, and it is important to wash your hands thoroughly.