UAE: Why you should discourage your child from sharing their food utensils
Reports from experienced physicians in the UAE indicate that school-aged children are now more prone to deal with oral Herpes during the colder months of winter. The type of herpes, generally found on the lips and mouth region, can also cause outbreaks inside the mouth and around the eyes.
“Grouping and food-sharing is a culture that enhances transmission of the virus. This explains why cold months pose a higher risk – schools resume and gatherings occur with food sharing activities,” according to medical experts.
“An infection caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is quite easily spread through drinks, eating utensils or even towels," said Dr. Ignatiius Edwin D’souza, a Consultant Pediatrician at the Thumbay University Hospital.
He went on to say, “Oral herpes is spreading more often especially among schoolgoing children and teenagers. Many kids get the virus for the first time rather young, often still at baby or toddler age, and through close contact with a family member experiencing the infection.”
Increased socialising exacerbates the situation
The winter season clearly makes the matter worse since there is an increase in social mixing during school functions such as field trips, sport days, and even general get-togethers, Meaning the viruses have increased chances of spreading. More so, the families also tend to mix a lot more during that season hence more drink and snack sharing as well as lip balm sharing.
Dr D’souza pointed out that there exists this very particular strong relationship that exists between these two sets of variables; the increased social interaction and increased sharing items tends to lead to a rise in oral herpes during the colder months.
Oral herpes is characterised by blisters on the mouth, which are quite small and painful and occur in every episode. They are generally a precursor to the main symptoms which include itching, tingling, or a burning feeling: “In primary infections especially in children, these can also be accompanied with fever, swollen lymph nodes and sore throat.
Recurrent episodes on the other hand, are mild and can occur due to stress, illness and sun exposure, explained Dr Amjad Mouhammad Haider, consultant paediatrician, International Modern hospital, Dubai.
"There are more incidences of cases in children below six years of age. It resolves on its own in otherwise healthy children. Oral herpes can be confused with a number of other illnesses for example canker sores, impetigo, or a cold sore and even the mother during the initial stages of the infection. Dr Haider, a specialist in internal medicine, has been doing this for years,” said Dr Haider.
He likewise stated that a PCR viral culture, blood, or a biopsy is required to support the diagnosis. “An accurate diagnosis is vital for the proper management and such information can be obtained with clinical examination and if need be, laboratory investigations,” Dr Haider added.
Virus can remain dormant in the body and reactivate later
Doctors emphasized that every now and then the virus may be latent and can resurface, particularly if children are under stress or are unwell.
Nevertheless, some people might be asymptomatic carriers of the virus whilst others may show sporadic episodes of the infection.
“Oral herpes has seen a dramatic growth in the past few years in certain age categories. Hitherto, the primary mode of transmission of HSV, type one, was through skin contact, kissing, sharing a plate or towel used by an infected person especially during early childhood,” stated Dr Hamza Rahhal, a consultant pediatrician at the Saudi German Hospital, Dubai.
“When one gets the virus, it becomes sited in the host’s body and can be reactivated due to stress, ailments, and other causes. At this point there is no vaccine for Herpes Simplex Virus 1. This virus is not new as it is majorly known to cause oral herpes.”
A large number of parents heal or treat their children at homes without visiting doctors, Dr Hamza Rahhal from Rahhal Clinic said. Today a vast majority of pediatricians recommend specialized medical help: contact us today!
Dr Rahhal has indicated that “much attention has been put on the vaccine's clinical trials and its effectiveness in treating HSV-vaccine. No single vaccine effective against HSV-1 has been found till date."
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