[Medical Q&A] Hand, foot and mouth disease is preventable and controllable, but do you know how to prevent and control it?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Huang Lei, deputy chief physician, Fifth Medical Center, PLA General Hospital

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common infectious disease in children. It is mainly transmitted through respiratory secretions, feces and contaminated objects. It is common in places where children gather, such as kindergartens and schools. The following points should be paid attention to in the prevention and control of hand, foot and mouth disease.

(1) Avoid close contact with children with hand, foot and mouth disease. Do not hug them or share toys or tableware with them to avoid infection.

(2) Washing hands is crucial to preventing hand, foot and mouth disease. Children like to touch things everywhere. When the virus attaches to their hands and they eat food with their hands, they will be infected and sick. Wash hands carefully before meals, after going to the toilet, and when children come home from playing outside.

(3) Vegetables, fruits, and meats contaminated by feces may contain enteroviruses. Therefore, fruits must be washed thoroughly and preferably peeled before eating; do not feed children raw vegetables; and do not eat undercooked meat.

(4) Some children like to lick their toys, and the viruses left on the toys may survive for several days. Healthy children are susceptible to hand, foot and mouth disease when they come into contact with toys that have the virus.

(5) Children suffering from hand, foot and mouth disease should avoid going out. They should wait at least one week after the rash on their body subsides and the child fully recovers before going out (about 2 weeks).

(6) Adults can also be infected with enterovirus, although most of the infections are latent, they are contagious and the virus remains in the respiratory tract and hands of adults. Therefore, after going out and coming home, parents must wash their faces and hands before contacting their children. In addition, after changing the diaper of the child, parents must also wash their hands before taking care of the child or preparing food.

(7) Places with dense crowds usually have high virus density, so it is recommended not to take children to play in crowded places during seasons when diseases are prevalent.