At what age can children be infected with hand, foot and mouth disease

At what age will children be infected by children with hand, foot and mouth disease? The incidence of hand, foot and mouth disease is very high now, and it is very harmful to children. Hand, foot and mouth disease is clinically characterized by herpes on the hands, feet, and mouth. So, at what age will children be infected by children with hand, foot and mouth disease? It mostly occurs in infants under 5 years old, so parents must pay more attention.

There are more than 20 types of enterovirus that can cause hand, foot and mouth disease, among which Coxsackievirus A16 (CoxA16) and enterovirus 71 (EV71) are the most common. The sources of infection for hand, foot and mouth disease are patients and latent carriers. During the epidemic, patients are the main source of infection. Patients excrete the virus from the throat 1 to 2 weeks after onset, and from the feces about 3 to 5 weeks after onset. The herpes fluid contains a large amount of virus, which overflows when ulcerated. Virus carriers and mild sporadic cases are the main sources of infection during the inter-epidemic and epidemic periods.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is mainly spread through close contact between people. The virus in the patient's throat secretions and saliva can be spread through air droplets. Saliva, herpes fluid, feces-contaminated hands, towels, handkerchiefs, tooth cups, toys, eating utensils, milk utensils, bedding, underwear, etc. are spread through daily contact, and can also be spread orally. Contact with water contaminated by the virus can also cause oral infection and often cause epidemics. Cross-infection in outpatient clinics and poor disinfection of oral instruments can also cause transmission.

The treatment principle is mainly symptomatic treatment. Antiviral drugs, Chinese herbal medicines for clearing away heat and detoxification, vitamin B, vitamin C, etc. can be taken. Patients with complications can be given intramuscular injection of immunoglobulin. During the illness, the care of the child should be strengthened and oral hygiene should be maintained. Before and after eating, you can rinse your mouth with normal saline or warm water, and liquid and semi-liquid foods are suitable. The cause of hand, foot and mouth disease can be combined with myocarditis, encephalitis, meningitis, and flaccid paralysis, so observation should be strengthened and should not be taken lightly.