Prevention tips for hand, foot and mouth disease in children

As the temperature rises, the incidence of hand, foot and mouth disease has increased significantly in many places. Children lack awareness of protection, have weak resistance, and are easily infected by viruses. April to July every year in my country is the peak season for hand, foot and mouth disease. The recent national infectious disease epidemic risk assessment indicates that the number of reported cases of hand, foot and mouth disease has increased significantly, and it has gradually entered the peak period.

1.What is hand, foot and mouth disease?

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common childhood infectious disease caused by a variety of enterovirus infections. It is common in children aged 5 and under, with the highest incidence in the 1-2 year old group. It can occur all year round, with the highest incidence in summer and autumn, and is highly contagious. There are more than 20 types of enterovirus that can cause hand, foot and mouth disease, with Coxsackievirus A16 and enterovirus 71 being the most common. Enterovirus 71 is the main virus that causes severe hand, foot and mouth disease in my country.

2.What are the clinical manifestations of hand, foot and mouth disease?

The incubation period of hand, foot and mouth disease is 2-10 days, with an average of 3-5 days. The disease is mild and self-limiting, with a good prognosis. The patient can fully recover after 7-10 days of illness. Most children have fever, rash or herpes on the hands, feet, buttocks, oral mucosa and other parts as the main clinical manifestations, which may be accompanied by cough, runny nose, loss of appetite and other symptoms. In a very small number of children, the disease will rapidly deteriorate, involving the brain, lungs and heart, causing serious complications, and in severe cases, it can lead to death.

3. How is hand, foot and mouth disease transmitted?

Hand, foot and mouth disease is mainly transmitted through close contact with the patient's feces, herpes fluid, nasopharyngeal secretions, saliva, and contact with contaminated hands, towels, handkerchiefs, tooth cups, toys, tableware, baby bottles, bedding and other items or environments. The patient is most contagious in the first week after onset.

4. What are the preventive measures for hand, foot and mouth disease?

① Vaccination. Vaccination with inactivated enterovirus 71 (EV-71) vaccine can prevent hand, foot and mouth disease caused by EV-71 (this vaccine can reduce the occurrence of severe hand, foot and mouth disease and death, but has no protective effect against hand, foot and mouth disease caused by other enteroviruses). The target of this vaccine is children aged 6 months to 5 years old. It is encouraged to complete the vaccination program before 12 months of age. The earlier the vaccination for children aged 1 year and above, the better.

②Avoid contact with the source of infection. Try to reduce going out, avoid close contact with infected people, and avoid contact with the patient's herpes fluid, respiratory secretions, and contaminated items;

③Personal hygiene habits. Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching public items; do not spit or litter; avoid touching your mouth, nose, eyes and other easily infected parts with your hands; cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing;

④ Seek medical attention promptly after falling ill and follow the doctor's advice to isolate. It is not only important to prevent children from getting infected, but also to seek medical attention promptly when they are sick, and not to go out and infect other children. It is recommended to confine sick children at home, and at least wait until the fluid in the herpes on the body has dried up (about 1 week) before going out to contact other children. When someone in a school or kindergarten has hand, foot and mouth disease, you can take a temporary leave to avoid contact with them and return to school after recovery.