What is the main source of infection for hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Disease description:
My child recently had contact with a child who had hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) at kindergarten, and I'm worried that my child might get infected. I would like to ask the doctor: what are the main sources of transmission for HFMD? How can we prevent it?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
The main sources of transmission for hand, foot, and mouth disease include symptomatic patients, asymptomatic infected individuals, bodily fluids and secretions, contaminated objects, and the environment. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Symptomatic Patients
Symptomatic patients refer to children who have already developed typical symptoms such as fever, blisters on the hands and feet, and oral ulcers. The virus exists in their feces, nasopharyngeal secretions, saliva, and blister fluid, and they are most contagious within one week after onset.
2. Asymptomatic Infected Individuals
Some children infected with the virus do not develop symptoms but can still test positive for the virus in their throat and feces. They may continue to excrete the virus for several weeks and act as a source of infection.
3. Bodily Fluids and Secretions
Patients' saliva, nasal mucus, tears, sweat, urine, and feces may contain the virus. Particularly in feces, viral shedding can last up to 3-5 weeks.
4. Contaminated Objects
Objects such as tableware, toys, and towels used by patients can become contaminated by bodily fluids or feces and thus serve as sources of transmission for hand, foot, and mouth disease.
5. Environment
In crowded settings such as kindergartens and schools, the virus can easily spread through shared objects due to frequent contact among children.
In daily life, thoroughly wash hands with soap or hand wash using the seven-step handwashing technique after touching public items and before eating or after using the toilet. If a child develops symptoms such as fever, rash, or refusal to eat, seek medical attention immediately and keep the child at home in isolation to avoid returning to school.
