HFMD is an acute infectious disease caused by a variety of enteroviruses, with an incubation period of 2-10 days. It not only loves to run wild everywhere but is also super-competent, bullying children under 6 years old, especially tormenting small children under 3 years old, but almost afraid to provoke strong adults.
The initial period (1-2 days): the baby suddenly has a fever, loss of appetite and sore throat.
Peak period (3-5 days): Small red herpes grow on the baby’s mouth, hands, feet, and little buttocks one after another. Because of the pain and discomfort the baby will become uncomfortable with food, drooling and irritable.
Recovery period (6-10 days): the baby’s body temperature and appetite basically return to normal. The rash gradually fades away, leaving no scars or pigmentation, and does not affect the baby’s beauty in any way. Babies with very severe infections around the nails may lose their nails, but mothers should not be alarmed as the baby does not feel pain and the nails will grow back on their own in about 1-4 months.
HFMD can also cause some babies to cough and runny, so it is very easy for parents to mistake it for a cold in the early stages.
How to distinguish HFMD from a cold?
If HFMD is fierce, it can cause high fever, headache, vomiting, convulsions, breathing difficulties, and meningitis and pulmonary edema in 1-5 days ……. Very few cases can lead to death.
Therefore, careful moms and dads, if you find your baby fever and crying should be alert, especially if you find that your baby loves drooling, mouth or palms and feet blisters, you should immediately take your baby to the hospital to do the relevant examination. There are various clinical tests (such as enterovirus-specific nucleic acid tests) that can reveal HFMD!
Take good care to keep your baby away from HFMD
1.Hand, foot and mouth disease vaccination (EV71 vaccine)
The listed HFMD vaccination is for babies aged 6 months to 3 years. This is because severe HFMD (EV71 HFMD) is very much “favored” by this age group and there is already data on the safety and effectiveness of this age group in clinical trials of the vaccine.
If too much vaccine is given in a short period of time, it is often too much for the baby’s body to handle. Therefore, the HFMD vaccine should be given at least two weeks apart from other vaccinations and at least one month apart from immunoglobulin injections.
The HFMD vaccine is a class II vaccine, which requires a total of two doses at your own expense, and does not need to be given every year. Mothers who need it can take their babies to the local community health center for consultation and appointment.
HFMD can be caused by more than 20 types of enteroviruses. If your baby has had HFMD before and it is determined that it is caused by EV71 virus, then there is no need to get the HFMD vaccine. If it is not determined, vaccination is optional.
Babies may experience mild nausea and fever after vaccination, which usually lasts no more than 3 days. If your baby appears to be in obvious discomfort, go to the hospital promptly.
2.Often protection is essential
HFMD can be transmitted through the digestive tract, respiratory tract and close contact, which means: even if the baby does not leave home, adults may bring the virus home without any symptoms. Therefore, to prevent HFMD, the whole family should act together to.
Wash your hands, rinse your mouth, ventilate your room, and wash your baby’s things: good hygiene habits can effectively reduce the attachment of the virus. Hand washing with soap and hand sanitizer should last more than 20 seconds!
Eat cooked food and drink boiled water: Hand, foot and mouth virus is very afraid of heat and is dying in a 50°C environment!
Sun exposure: UV rays can effectively inactivate the HFMD virus, and more sun exposure also helps increase your baby’s resistance.
Disinfection: Pay attention! Alcohol and lysol have no killing power on HFMD virus! But it doesn’t mean that the HFMD virus can be lawless. 84 disinfectant, potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide, iodophor, all can quickly and effectively subdue it!
During the epidemic period, avoid taking your baby to crowded places: proper outdoor activities are a must! Just try to avoid taking your baby to hospitals, shopping malls and other crowded and noisy places with lots of germs for a long time.
Don’t smoke vinegar: The vast majority of bacteria and viruses in the air are not sensitive to an acidic environment, and smoked vinegar can irritate the mucous membrane of your baby’s respiratory tract, so use with caution!