The symptoms of HFMD are generally mild. Most patients tend to start with fever symptoms, maculopapular and herpetic rashes on the palms of the hands and feet (the rash may be surrounded by redness), herpes and/or ulcers on the oral mucosa, and significant pain. Some patients may have 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, which can be life-threatening if left untreated.
How is HFMD transmitted? Is there a vaccine?
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 treatable.
Who is susceptible to HFMD?
Infants and children are commonly affected, and infants 3 years old and younger are more likely to get the disease. Because adults have a better immune system, adults generally do not develop the disease once infected and do not have any symptoms. However, the infection can spread the virus, so adults also need to be protected to avoid infecting their children.
Is HFMD a new infectious disease?
Hand, foot and mouth disease is not a new infectious disease, it is a global infectious disease, first recognized and named in 1957, and cases occur every year in countries around the world. HFMD was discovered in 1981 in China, and people have been sick every year.
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 appear meningitis, pneumonia, etc., as long as actively cooperate with the doctor’s treatment, most can be cured.
What should I do if my child has suspicious symptoms?
If your child develops symptoms such as 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. In case of sudden high fever or confusion, lethargy, muscle or body twitching and difficulty in breathing, send your child to the hospital immediately.
How to prevent it in general families?
The key to preventing HFMD is to pay attention to the hygiene of the family and the surrounding environment and 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 hands and feet) and mouth every morning for any abnormalities, and pay attention to changes in the child’s body temperature.
What should I pay special attention to if a child is infected at home?
Be careful not to let sick children come into contact with other children; children’s saliva, sputum and other secretions should be wrapped in toilet paper and thrown into the trash; children’s feces should be collected and disinfected and thrown into the toilet, not thrown away at will, and the potty should be disinfected; caregivers should wash their hands before touching children, after changing diapers or after handling children’s feces; sick children’s clothes, toys, tableware, pillows and bedding should be kept hygienic, and children’s The child’s clothes, toys, dishes, pillows, bedding, etc. should be kept hygienic and the child’s daily utensils should be disinfected. If a child in kindergarten gets sick, tell the teacher as soon as possible and do not rush the child to kindergarten, but go back a week after all symptoms have disappeared to prevent infecting other children. In general, children with mild symptoms do not need to be hospitalized, but can be treated at home and rested to reduce cross-infection.
How to disinfect everyday items?
If there is no child with HFMD in the family, it is sufficient to use the general family prevention method without using disinfectant.
If a child has HFMD, the following methods of disinfection can be used: soak pacifiers, bottles, dishes, towels and other items in hot water above 50 degrees for 30 minutes or boil them for 3 minutes; wash contaminated toys, tables, chairs and clothes with chlorine disinfectant (84 disinfectant or bleach) every day according to the instructions; pour an appropriate amount of disinfectant into children’s sputum, saliva and stool, wipe paper, etc. Stir and disinfect before throwing into the toilet.
Why have so many people been reported to have contracted HFMD recently?
According to the health department’s surveillance, experts have compared the number of HFMD cases reported so far with the number of cases in previous years and concluded that this year’s outbreak came earlier, but is still epidemic. Since May 2 this year, the Ministry of Health has included HFMD in the management of category C statutory infectious diseases, requiring medical and health institutions at all levels to report cases found through the direct network reporting system in a timely manner. Since reporting was not required in the past, and in addition there were patients who did not seek medical attention due to mild symptoms, some cases were not detected or not reported in the past. It is reasonable to see a certain increase in the number of reports after the requirement of legal reporting.
Since HFMD is a common and frequent infectious disease, there is a possibility of widespread morbidity. The health department reminds all parts of the country, especially areas with fewer cases at present or fewer incidences in previous years, to strengthen prevention and surveillance to prevent and control the outbreak.