In some cases, childhood illnesses like HFMD require hospitalisation. With Income’s Enhanced IncomeShield with Plus Rider, you can prevent this medical cost from making a dent in your savings.
In some cases, childhood illnesses like HFMD require hospitalisation. With Income’s Enhanced IncomeShield with Plus Rider, you can prevent this medical cost from making a dent in your savings.
Children bring us so much joy, but when it comes to their health, they also give us plenty to worry about. Newborns are especially vulnerable to a host of illnesses. One illness that has affected many young children lately, and is expected to affect more in years to come, is hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). Unfortunately, there is no vaccine available for this infectious disease, which is why you have to protect your newborn, starting now.
CAUSE FOR CONCERN
The fi rst five months of 2016 witnessed an alarming number of HFMD cases in Singapore – 18,241, to be exact. The average number for the same period over the past five years was 8,193. If this spike continues, there’s a strong chance that your newborn will be affected by the time she starts preschool. Caused by a family of viruses called enteroviruses, HFMD symptoms include a pimple-like rash on the hands, feet and buttocks, mouth ulcers, and fever. Some children may also experience a sore throat, runny nose, vomiting and diarrhoea, and/or fatigue. The virus is easily spread through direct contact with nasal discharge, saliva, faeces and fluid from the blisters. HFMD is usually mild, with most children recovering after about 10 days. Serious complications – which include damage to the brain and heart – are rare. However, even in non-serious cases, hospitalisation may be necessary. As of June this year, more than 200 children were admitted to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital for fever, poor feeding and mild dehydration as a result of HFMD.
COPING WITH CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES LIKE HFMD
Don’t take your kid’s health for granted. It’s important to keep doing all you can to protect her, and to be prepared for any medical emergencies.
Build her immunity: One reason why young children fall sick so often is because their immune system is still developing. To help strengthen it, make sure your tot enjoys a wholesome, balanced diet, and gets plenty of water, exercise and rest.
Practise good general hygiene: Teach her to wash her hands before meals and after using the toilet. She should also avoid sharing her food, drinks or utensils with other children, and remember to cover her mouth when coughing or sneezing. As a parent, don’t forget to wash your hands frequently as well, especially before preparing your little one’s meals, and after changing her diaper, taking her to the toilet, and wiping her nose.
Get medical cover: Protect not only your child, but your pocket, too. Get appropriate insurance coverage to cushion your finances against hefty, unforeseen hospitalisation bills. Income (formerly NTUC Income) offers the Enhanced IncomeShield Plan with Plus Rider to give you peace of mind if your young one requires hospitalisation for childhood illnesses. The plan also covers pre- and post-hospitalisation costs incurred for HFMD and other diseases.
