Question
A 1.5-year-old girl has been diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth disease. After three days of medication treatment, her oral ulcers have improved, and her hand symptoms are nearly healed. However, the blisters on her feet have hardened, and small red rashes have started to appear on her body. Does this indicate that the illness is spreading?
Answer
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is an infectious disease caused by enterovirus, primarily affecting children. Treatment for hand, foot, and mouth disease often involves traditional Chinese medicine in combination with internal medicine and oral medications, with a good prognosis. Additionally, antiviral drugs can be used. Parents should encourage their children to regularly rinse their mouths with warm water, avoid eating cold or spicy foods, as well as overly salty foods to prevent pain and refusal to eat. The diet should focus on easy-to-digest foods, choosing light, soft, warm foods, and drinking plenty of hot water. Preventive measures include isolating the infected child, strengthening the health care of infants and young children to reduce the chance of infection, and ensuring good indoor air circulation and temperature.