Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common and frequent infectious disease, mainly in infants and children, and can be caused by a variety of enteroviruses, EV71 being one of them. It can occur throughout the year, with the peak incidence mainly from May to July. Hand, foot and mouth disease symptoms Hand, foot and mouth disease mainly invade four parts of the hands, feet, mouth and buttocks, hand, foot and mouth disease general symptoms are mild, most patients onset, often first fever symptoms, palms of the hands, palms of the feet appear maculopapular rash and herpes (the rash can be surrounded by red), oral mucosa herpes or ulcers, pain is obvious. Some patients may have symptoms such as cough, runny nose, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and headache. In a few patients, the disease is severe and can be complicated by encephalitis, meningitis, myocarditis and pneumonia. Who are the main sources of HFMD infection Patients with HFMD, invisible infections and asymptomatic carriers can transmit the disease. During an epidemic, patients are the main source of infection, and are usually most contagious within a week of onset. HFMD is transmitted in many ways, mainly through close contact with the patient’s stool, herpes fluid and respiratory secretions (such as sneezing droplets, etc.) and contaminated hands, towels, handkerchiefs, tooth cups, toys, tableware, bottles, bedding and so on. There is no vaccine for HFMD, but as long as it is detected and treated early, it is completely preventable and curable. Can HFMD be cured? If you have HFMD, in most cases, it can heal on its own in 7-10 days, leaving no sequelae and no scars on the skin. According to the past incidence and cure, only individual patients with severe disease may develop meningitis and pneumonia, etc. Most of them can be cured as long as they actively cooperate with the doctor’s treatment. What to do if your child has suspected symptoms If your child develops fever and rash, go to a medical institution promptly and observe closely at the same time. Do not go to kindergartens or public places where people gather and avoid playing with other children. Once there is a sudden high fever or confusion, lethargy, muscle or body twitching and difficulty in breathing, send your child to the hospital immediately. How to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease The key to preventing hand, foot and mouth disease is to pay attention to the hygiene of the family and the surrounding environment, and to pay attention to personal hygiene. Wash your hands with soap or hand sanitizer before and after meals and after going out; do not drink raw water and do not eat cold food; ventilate your room frequently; and dry your clothes and blankets regularly. During the epidemic period, do not take your children to crowded public places with poor air circulation, and avoid contact with sick children. During the epidemic period, check your child’s skin (mainly the palms of the hands and feet) and mouth for abnormalities every morning and pay attention to changes in the child’s body temperature.