Hand, foot and mouth disease has entered its peak period, and it is important to take good protection

May to December every year is the main epidemic season of hand, foot and mouth disease in our city. This acute infectious disease caused by enterovirus specifically causes trouble in places where children gather, such as kindergartens and schools.
According to the epidemic pattern of hand, foot and mouth disease, the number of hand, foot and mouth disease cases will gradually increase from April, with the first epidemic peak occurring from May to August, and a secondary peak occurring from October to December in some years.

What is hand, foot and mouth disease in children?

Is there any way to prevent it? Parents, don't worry, all the useful information is here! Read on now~ What is hand, foot and mouth disease?

Hand, foot and mouth disease is an infectious disease caused by a variety of enteroviruses, such as CV-A16, CV-A6, and EV-A71. Children aged 5 and under are the most susceptible to hand, foot and mouth disease. It is mainly transmitted through the gastrointestinal tract (fecal-oral route), and can also be transmitted through the respiratory tract (droplets, coughing, sneezing, etc.). It can also be transmitted by contact with the patient's oral and nasal secretions, skin or mucous membrane herpes fluid, and contaminated hands and objects. It is highly contagious. Adults can also be infected with enterovirus

Adults who are infected usually do not have obvious symptoms, but they are still contagious. Therefore, family members who often take care of children need to develop good hygiene habits to avoid transmitting enterovirus to children. How to effectively prevent it?

Vaccination, early prevention

For children aged 5 and under, vaccination can be considered. There are many types of viruses that cause hand, foot and mouth disease, but the main cause of severe illness and death is the EV-A71 virus. At present, my country has developed a vaccine to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease caused by the EV-A71 virus. Parents can choose whether to vaccinate the child with the EV-A71 vaccine based on their child's physical condition and needs. Who can be vaccinated with the EV-A71 vaccine?

The target population for vaccination is children aged 6 months to 5 years.
Kind tips

EV-A71 vaccine is a Category II vaccine, and vaccination must follow the principle of "informed, voluntary, and self-funded";

Before vaccination, an appointment should be made and the guardian of the person to be vaccinated should sign the informed consent form for vaccination in accordance with relevant regulations;

After vaccination, the vaccinated subjects are required to stay at the vaccination unit for 30 minutes.

Seek medical attention promptly to avoid cross infection

Parents should take good care of the prevention of hand, foot and mouth disease in children, understand the relevant knowledge of hand, foot and mouth disease, and take their children to see a doctor in time when they find relevant symptoms. Since children under 3 years old are relatively more likely to develop severe cases, special reminders are given: if children under 3 years old have symptoms such as persistent high fever, poor spirits, vomiting, easy to be startled, limb tremors, weakness, increased breathing, slow or irregular rhythm, cold sweats, cold limbs, skin patterns, and increased heart rate, they should be taken to a regular medical institution again in time for medical treatment. Children receiving home treatment should avoid contact with other children, especially those in other younger age groups, to reduce cross infection.
Parents of children with the disease should strengthen their care for their children

Currently, there is no specific medicine for hand, foot and mouth disease, antibiotics are ineffective, and the main treatment is symptomatic treatment. Most children can recover on their own.

Parents should focus on the following points when caring for their children:

Diet - light

Due to oral herpes, the baby may refuse to eat. You can drink more warm water, eat light, easily digestible porridge or pasta, etc., and avoid eating irritating foods. Fever - measure body temperature frequently

Physical methods or drugs can be used to reduce the temperature. Oral cavity - keep it clean

Rinse your mouth frequently, with light salt water before and after meals. For babies who cannot rinse their mouths, you can use a cotton swab dipped in light salt water to gently clean their mouths.

The children's clothing should be made of comfortable and soft fabrics, and their nails should be cut frequently to prevent them from scratching the rash.

Alcohol is ineffective against hand, foot and mouth disease. Things used by children, such as clothes, towels, tableware, toys, etc., can be washed with boiling water or exposed to the sun, or disinfected with chlorine-containing disinfectants. The room should be ventilated regularly. Hand, foot and mouth disease is highly contagious. Children with the disease should not go to kindergarten or school. They can return to school 7 days after the symptoms have completely disappeared. Warm reminder

Our city will enter a peak period of hand, foot and mouth disease in the near future. It is recommended that all childcare institutions in the city strictly implement the morning and afternoon inspection system, keep a good record of absenteeism, and strengthen the disinfection of toys, sanitary products, tableware and the surface of objects in activity venues.

Source: Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention