Hand, foot and mouth disease and herpes cheek infection are both very contagious. The saliva, herpes fluid, and stool of children and asymptomatic carriers contain more virus, which can contaminate hands, towels, water cups, toys, and utensils, and can be transmitted orally through daily contact. The virus is also contained in the pharyngeal secretions of the child, so coughing and sneezing can also cause transmission.
Unlike chickenpox and measles, hand, foot, mouth and herpes cheek infections can result in lifelong immunity, so if a child had the disease last year, he or she can still get it this year.
There is no vaccine for HFMD or herpes cheek infection.
Hand, foot and mouth disease and herpes cheek infection are difficult to prevent and often cause large epidemics. However, there are still things we can do to
Ensure indoor ventilation
Viruses excreted by the affected child’s cough and runny nose are diffused into the air. Air circulation reduces the amount of virus in the air and reduces the incidence. Windows are usually opened in summer, but windows and doors are often closed when air conditioning is on. It is recommended that even if the air conditioner is on, there should be time to open the windows for ventilation every day.
Reduce access to public places
Supermarkets, shopping centers, restaurants, and early childhood centers have warm air in the winter and air conditioning in the summer, and windows are rarely opened for ventilation, and they are often densely populated, with many patients, making them areas with a high incidence of cross-infection. Now that the weather is warm, it is best to play with children outdoors. There are some places outdoors where there are more people, but with air circulation and sunlight (the ultraviolet rays of the sun have a virucidal effect), it is less likely to transmit diseases.
Kindergartens do a good job of morning check-ups
Some children with hand, foot, and mouth disease or herpes cheek infection are found in kindergartens during morning checkups. Morning checkups can lead to immediate isolation and reduce the incidence of cross-infection among children in the classroom. Kindergartens are the highest incidence area for HFMD and herpes cheek infection every year, and effective prevention in kindergartens is very important for disease control.
Airing clothes and disinfecting toys
Herpes fluid from affected children can contaminate clothing and blankets, and if there are other children in the home, contact with these clothes and blankets can cause cross-infection.
Chlorine disinfectant can be used to disinfect towels, toys, etc.
Wash hands before and after meals
Wash your child’s hands with hand sanitizer or soap before meals, after pooping, and after going outside. Caregivers should wash their hands before touching the child, after changing the child’s diaper, and after handling the child’s stool.
Drink plenty of water, eat lightly, and have normal bowel movements every day
Drinking plenty of water is a big doctor’s trick, but it really works. Now that the weather is getting warmer, it is a task for parents to urge their children to drink more water. Eat a proper light diet, fish, meat and eggs are allowed, but don’t eat a lot at one meal, or a lot at a meal. Especially on weekends, don’t take your child to their favorite restaurant to eat a lot.
It is also important to urge your child to have a soft, formed stool once a day.
Eat less hot fruit
Cherries will be available in bulk in late May and early June, and they are a very tasty fruit that is easy for children to eat, but don’t let your child eat a lot of them, as they can cause internal heat, constipation, and poor health and illness. Similar fruits are mangoes, durian. As well as nuts and chocolate that are not fruits.
Children should be cured before going to school
Children should wait until their body temperature is normal, herpes crusts fall off, and symptoms disappear before going outdoors or attending kindergarten or school to avoid an epidemic.
Hand, foot and mouth and herpes cheek infection are highly contagious, but the above precautions, if taken with care, can still have some preventive effect.