Spring and summer are the most frequent seasons for HFMD, which mainly infects children under 6 years old. In recent years, most of the provinces and cities in China have developed the disease, and the epidemic is serious in individual cities, and there are reports of fatal cases from time to time; however, parents need not panic, as long as they are vigilant, early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment, most of the affected children can recover successfully.
1.What is hand, foot and mouth disease?
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is an infectious disease caused by intestinal viruses, mostly in infants and young children, which can cause herpes on the hands, feet and mouth, and individual patients can cause complications such as myocarditis, pulmonary edema and aseptic meningoencephalitis. It occurs mostly in preschool children, especially in children under 3 years of age with the highest incidence. The main manifestations are papular rash and herpes on the hands, feet, mouth and buttocks, with or without fever. In a few cases, encephalitis, meningitis, encephalomyelitis, and in severe cases, brainstem encephalitis causing pulmonary edema and pulmonary hemorrhage, which can lead to death if not treated in time.
2.What are the symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease?
The main symptoms of HFMD are rash and fever, which can be followed by fever or rash followed by fever. The rash mainly appears in the oral mucosa, hands and feet and buttocks, as scattered red papules and herpes. The rash usually appears first in the oral cavity as red papules or multiple ulcers, mainly on the palate; then the rash appears on the hands and feet and buttocks. In some cases, the rash appears only in the mouth or on one or two parts of the hands, feet, or buttocks. The rash is not painful or itchy. In severe cases with neurological involvement, poor mental health and drowsiness, easily startled, irritable, crying and restlessness, headache, nausea, vomiting, shock-like trembling of the limbs, weakness, unstable walking or paralysis may occur. In critical cases, the disease progresses rapidly and can suddenly appear coma, breathing difficulties, purple lips, cold hands and feet, cold sweat, pulmonary hemorrhage and death by shock.
3.How should a child with HFMD be seen?
A. Children with mild disease only have rash, no fever or transient fever, no other symptoms, good spirit, can eat and play, and can be isolated and observed at home.
B. Children with one of the following conditions should immediately go to the designated hospital for hand, foot and mouth disease.
①Under 3 years old.
② persistent fever.
③Poor mental health and drowsiness.
④Easy to be frightened, easily irritated, crying and restless.
(⑤) Shock-like trembling of limbs, weakness, unstable walking or paralysis.
(6) Headache, nausea, vomiting.
(7) Recurrent transient erythema on the face, neck, chest and back.
(8) Cold hands and feet, cold sweat.
C. Some children without rash should be seen immediately at a hospital at or above the county level during the epidemic season of HFMD if they have one of the following manifestations.
①Fever of unknown cause.
② Vomiting and diarrhea without any obvious reason.
③Crying, frightening and irritable for no apparent reason.
④Limb tremors, convulsions, and weakness without obvious reasons. Prevention of hand, foot and mouth disease in spring and summer
4.How is the treatment effect of HFMD? What is the prognosis?
Most children with mild cases can be cured without treatment and have a good prognosis. Most children with severe disease can recover successfully without sequelae as long as they are treated promptly. Severe neurological damage may result in mental retardation, limb paralysis, and other functional impairments of varying degrees. A very small number of cases progress rapidly, with pulmonary hemorrhage and shock, and death is too late or the treatment is ineffective.
5.How is HFMD transmitted? How to prevent it?
Hand, foot and mouth disease patients and hidden infected people are the source of infection, mainly through the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract and close contact and other means of transmission. To prevent the spread of HFMD, parents should do the following: wash hands and change clothes regularly; drink boiled water and eat cooked food; eat fresh fruits and wash them clean; wash milk utensils and toys regularly; clean and ventilate the room regularly; reduce the number of children going out, especially in crowded public places; wash hands and change clothes before coming into contact with children after parents return home.