What is hand, foot and mouth disease?
Hand, foot and mouth disease is an infectious disease caused by enteroviruses. It is common in children in kindergartens and primary schools, and can also occur in adults. The causative agent of this disease can be spread to others through contact with the patient\’s saliva, urine, feces, and blister fluid. Hand, foot and mouth disease mainly causes lesions in the oral cavity and skin and mucous membranes, usually manifesting as small blisters in the mouth and on the hands and feet.
Symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease
Symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease vary depending on the patient\’s age and condition. Infants and young children are usually more severely ill, with a sudden rise in body temperature and possible symptoms such as lethargy, anorexia, vomiting and diarrhea. In addition, rash is also a common symptom of hand, foot and mouth disease. The initial rash will appear in the mouth and on the fingers, palms, toes, soles, etc., and will develop into blisters later. Some patients may also experience upper respiratory tract infection symptoms such as cough, runny nose, and sore throat.
Diagnostic methods of hand, foot and mouth disease
Confirming the diagnosis of hand, foot and mouth disease requires a comprehensive analysis, including medical history, physical examination, and laboratory testing. During the examination, the doctor will check for lesions and rashes in the child\’s mouth, and ask whether the child has symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. If doctors still have questions, they will order lab tests, including blood tests, autopsies, testing of teat fluid and genetic modifications. Correct recognition and treatment of hand, foot and mouth disease are critical to controlling the spread and mitigating symptoms.
Treatment of hand, foot and mouth disease
Some patients can recover without special treatment. However, patients with severe disease or documented infection require prompt treatment. As emphasized, avoid eating spicy and sour foods, keep a light diet, and drink as much warm water or tea as possible to relieve pain and protect the lip, mouth, and gastrointestinal tract. Doctors can prescribe drugs according to the condition, such as oral antiviral drugs Acyclovir and penicillin. In particular, Chinese patent medicines containing detoxifiers and analgesics are more meaningful in relieving symptoms.
Methods to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease
For children, proper hygiene is the best way to stay healthy. Parents should ensure that children wash their hands frequently, wear dry clothes and change bedding, and avoid sharing food, tableware, toys, etc. with each other. In addition, accepting products that meet the food processing health licensing system, trying not to eat in unclean places, and strengthening the hygiene of indoor doors and windows can also effectively avoid the spread of diseases.
