Schools step up checks as more kids hit by HFMD

Looks like its getting serious ..
But the childcare centres, schools are taking steps to prevent it from spreading
Below is an article from Straits Time today, pls click the picture to zoom it for your reading.

Eldershield information

About ElderShield

What is ElderShield?
ElderShield is an insurance scheme introduced by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to help people who become severely disabled. ElderShield provides $300 cash payout every month (for up to 60 months) to those who are not able to do at least 3 of the 6 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). The 6 ADLs are washing, dressing, feeding, toileting, mobility and transferring.

This money can help to pay for a type of care that is suitable to the patient's needs (e.g. home nursing services, day rehabilitation, nursing homes, etc).

Who Is Eligible For ElderShield?
All CPF Members (Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents) who reach the age of 40 will be covered automatically. As it is an auto-cover scheme, you do not have to sign up to join ElderShield.

An Affordable Insurance Scheme
Premiums for ElderShield are affordable.

Moreover, it is hassle-free as ElderShield premiums will be deducted from your Medisave Account. You may also choose to pay using the CPF Medisave Accounts of your spouse, parents, children or grandchildren or pay by Interbank GIRO, Cheque or Cash.

Background on ElderShield
Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents aged 40 - 69 (as at 30 September 2002) and with a CPF Account formed the Initial Auto-Coverage Cohort. They received an auto-cover package in June 2002 and their ElderShield policy commenced on 30 September 2002, unless they opted out before 30 September 2002 or were "disabled".

Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who turn 40 after 30 September 2002 and with a CPF Account formed the Steady State Auto-Coverage Cohort. The first Steady State Auto-Coverage Cohort (consisting of those who turned 40 years old in October 2002) received their auto-cover package by end July 2002 and their ElderShield policy commenced on 31 October 2002, unless they opt-out before 31 October 2002 or are "disabled".

Benefits Illustration of ElderShield Basic & Upgrade

ElderShield Basic & Upgrade

Benefits	ElderShield Basic Plan	Upgraded ElderShield Plan
Monthly Benefit Payout	$300	$400
Duration of Benefit Payout	Up to 60 months	Up to 72 months
Maximum Potential Payout	$18,000	$28,800
ElderShield Supplements	NIL	PH can purchase supplements from any of the 3 insurers as long as they have a basic ESH plan
Insurers	Great Eastern NTUC Income	Great Eastern NTUC Income Aviva

More recent news on HFMD - Hand, foot & Mouth Disease

More recent news on HFMD

Main features of plan

- Hospital Cash cover arising from dengue fever, Hand, Foot & Mouth disease, and Food poisoning (up to $100/day)
- Transport allowance (up to $60/accident)
- Medical reimbursement (Traditional Chinese Medical Treatment included)
- Daily companion allowance arising from accidents up to $80/day
- continue reading about plan - click here

Below are recent news on HFMD:

• Singapore reports 2,727 HFMD cases - March 14, 2008
  • http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/14/content_7788757.htm
• HFMD: 585 hit, childcare centres on alert - March 27, 2008
  • http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_220870.html
• Main culprit for latest HFMD cases more deadly - March, 2008
  • http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/STIStory_220992.html

Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention - HFMD

Symptoms

• fever
• sore throat
• ulcers in the throat, mouth and tongue
• headache
• a rash with vesicles (small blisters-- 3-7 mm) on hands, feet and diaper area. The vesicles are typically on the palm side of the hands the sole side of the feet and very characteristic in appearance.
• loss of appetite

Treatment
There is no specific treatment for the infection other than symptomatic relief of symptoms.

Treatment with antibiotics is not effective and is not indicated. Acetaminophen can be used to treat fever. Aspirin should not be used in viral illnesses in children under age 12 years.

Salt water mouth rinses (1/2 teaspoon of salt to 1 glass of warm water) may be soothing if the child is able to rinse without swallowing. Ensure an adequate fluid intake because swallowing may be painful. Extra fluid is needed when a fever is present.

HFMD in Singapore
HFMD is present all year round in Singapore. Outbreaks do occur in childcare centres, kindergartens and schools. HFMD became legally notifiable on 1 October 2000. Although usually a mild disease, it has been associated with fatalities usually due to complications involving the heart and nervous system.

Advice for parents
Parents are advised to consult a doctor early if their child has symptoms of HFMD. They should also be alert to any change in their child's normal behaviour, e.g. irritation and sleepiness. Should they refuse to eat or drink, have persistent vomiting or drowsiness, parents should bring their child immediately to hospital.

Prevention
Children should be kept away from crowded public places (such as schools, preschools, play groups, markets and public transport) if they show signs of infection. Family members are advised to follow good hygiene practices, including frequent hand washing, to limit the spread of the infection.

• Read more - Article 1 Health Promotion Board: Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease - HFMD
  
  
• Read more - Article 2 More HFMD cases reported this year
  
  
• Are you (your child) able to get any medical reimbursements? Find out more here