The excitement of welcoming the new school year is often shadowed by health risks, one of which is the spread of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), commonly known locally as Singapore Flu. Although the name is medically less accurate, this disease is a real and serious threat to school-age children and toddlers in environments with high social interaction.
National health surveillance data shows a worrying trend with almost 15,000 cases recorded as of mid-2026. Transmission in schools occurs very quickly through physical contact, sharing eating utensils, and poor hand hygiene discipline. The main challenge for parents and teachers is the incubation period of the virus, which allows children to remain contagious even before showing clear physical symptoms.
Parents need to recognize the symptom phases early to prevent severity. The disease usually begins with a fever, fatigue, and a sore throat similar to common flu symptoms. Entering the advanced phase, the child will experience painful mouth sores and a rash consisting of red spots or blisters on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and buttock area.
It is important to note that the greatest risk of HFMD is dehydration caused by children refusing to drink due to oral pain. Additionally, in cases triggered by Enterovirus 71 (EV71), the infection carries a risk of developing into fatal complications such as meningitis or encephalitis. Although the majority of cases are mild and resolve within a week, close monitoring of the child's condition remains crucial.
As an optimal preventive measure, the EV71 vaccine is now strongly recommended by medical experts as a long-term protection investment. Besides vaccination, practicing a clean and healthy lifestyle at school and home serves as the primary line of defense. Parents are advised to immediately bring their children to a healthcare facility if fever symptoms accompanied by characteristic spots appear, so that proper and prompt medical treatment can be provided.
