LUCKNOW, Sept. 14 -- The state capital has been experiencing a rise in hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) cases, especially among children, over the past month with government hospitals a number of such patients in their outpatient departments (OPDs). If proper precautions are not taken, the disease can pose a serious threat to children's health, said experts. Dr AK Verma, head of paediatrics department, Balrampur Hospital, says the disease is caused by viral infection, which mostly develops in the children upto 5 years of age due to their weak immunity, He further says such cases start increasing when the rainy season nears end. The disease is self- limiting which subsides within seven to 10 days, Dr Verma adds. The symptoms of the diseases include rashes on hands and feet, mouth ulcers besides fever. According to him, whoever suffering from such an infection should take a healthy diet, maintain hygiene and keep themselves hydrated. He also warns if the infection does not subside within 10 days, patients must rush to the doctor as this viral infection gets converted into bacterial infection that may cause septicemia (blood poisoning) which is life threatening. "Four to five children have been coming to the hospital OPD for the last one month and two children are still in the hospital as their tongue's upper layer got severely damaged due to the infection," he added. Dr Arun Tiwari, senior paediatrician at Lok Bandhu Raj Narayan Combined Hospital, says children should maintain hygiene and stay hydrated. Cases have been reported to the hospital in the last one month. Dr MN Mishra, senior consultant, paediatrics, Civil Hospital, said such cases are coming at the hospital's OPD....