The change of seasons between summer and autumn is a period of high incidence of infectious diseases in children, and hand, foot and mouth disease is a common problem that troubles parents, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools. Many parents mistakenly believe that hand, foot and mouth disease is just a minor illness caused by "a small rash on the hands and feet" and does not need to be taken too seriously. In fact, the disease is caused by enterovirus infection. It is highly contagious and has various transmission routes. Young children are generally susceptible. A few severe cases may also cause complications, endangering the health and safety of children.
The core of prevention and control of hand, foot and mouth disease is to block transmission in advance rather than to treat the disease after the disease. As long as the transmission channels are accurately cut off and scientific protection is implemented, children's health can be effectively protected.
Recognize the source: three transmission channels of hand, foot and mouth disease
1. Gastrointestinal tract transmission (fecal-oral route, core mode of transmission)
This is the main transmission channel for enterovirus. Children infected with the virus will carry large amounts of the virus in their feces, and shedding of the virus can last for weeks. If you do not wash your hands in time after defecation, or if parents do not disinfect after taking care of them, the virus will attach to the surfaces of hands, tableware, toys, door handles and other items. If a child eats his hands, rubs his eyes, or consumes contaminated food or raw water after coming into contact with contaminated items, the virus will invade the body and cause infection.
2. Close contact transmission (high incidence of daily transmission)
The patient's saliva, nasal secretions, and skin herpes fluid contain a large amount of active viruses. Children can be infected with the virus if they share towels, water cups, toys, clothing, or have direct contact with children with rashes or saliva. In places where children gather, such as kindergartens and playgrounds, it is extremely easy for cross-infection and cluster epidemics to occur.
3. Respiratory droplet transmission (the most covert mode of transmission)
Droplets produced by sick children when they cough or sneeze can carry viruses suspended in the air, and healthy children can be infected by inhaling them at close range. A closed, crowded, poorly ventilated indoor environment will greatly increase the risk of droplet transmission.
Precise interruption: four core measures to cut off the chain of transmission
1. Wash your hands frequently
Hands are the main vector for the spread of enterovirus. Children are urged to wash their hands using running water and hand sanitizer according to the seven-step handwashing method for no less than 20 seconds before eating, using the toilet, returning from going out, or after touching public items, and correct bad habits such as eating hands and rubbing eyes. Hand sanitizer is only for emergency use and cannot replace washing hands with running water. Parents also need to clean their hands after caring for their children and handling dirt.
2. Provide ventilation and environmental disinfection
Boil and disinfect tableware on a daily basis. Use chlorine-containing disinfectants to wipe high-touch objects such as toys and door handles, and treat fabrics with exposure to the sun. Note that alcohol is ineffective against enteroviruses. Ventilate homes and classrooms 2 to 3 times a day for no less than 30 minutes each time. Keep the indoors dry and ventilated to reduce the spread of viruses in closed environments.
3. Children with the disease should stay at home as much as possible
During high-incidence seasons, children should be minimized from going to closed and crowded places. Schools should implement morning and afternoon inspections. If symptoms such as fever, rash, oral ulcers and other symptoms occur, they should be sent to the doctor promptly. It is strictly forbidden to return to school while sick. Children with the disease need to be isolated at home, and pollutants should be properly disposed of. They can only return to school after their symptoms have recovered to avoid continued transmission.
4. Get vaccinated in time to keep the bottom line of serious illness
EVA71 inactivated vaccine can effectively prevent severe hand, foot and mouth disease caused by this type of virus. It is recommended that children aged 6 months to 5 years be fully vaccinated as soon as possible. The vaccine cannot cover all enterovirus serotypes, and daily protective measures must still be adhered to after vaccination.
Guide to avoid pitfalls: Three common prevention and control misunderstandings
Many infections stem from cognitive misunderstandings. Parents need to focus on avoiding:
Myth 1: Only rash on the hands and feet is hand, foot and mouth disease. Some children only have oral herpes, fever and sore throat, but no rash on their hands and feet. They are easily misdiagnosed. They are also contagious and need to be investigated in time.
Myth 2: Being sick once will give you lifelong immunity. There are more than 20 common enteroviruses that cause hand, foot and mouth disease. Infection with one type only confers immunity to that type. Children may still be infected repeatedly and need to be protected all year round.
Misunderstanding 3: Mild symptoms do not require medical treatment. Mild illness can heal on its own, but if the child develops symptoms such as persistent high fever, listlessness, trembling limbs, and frequent vomiting, it is a sign of serious illness and requires immediate medical attention without delay.
Summary
Hand, foot and mouth disease can be prevented and controlled. There is no need to be overly nervous, but do not be careless. Viruses spread mostly due to omissions in daily details. Home-school linkage, hand protection, environmental disinfection, ventilation and isolation, vaccination, and adhering to every prevention and control detail can effectively block the spread of enterovirus and protect the safety and health of children.
