Question
A 5-year-old child has a slight rash on their hands, feet, and mouth, with more rashes on the knees and the root of the thighs. After one week of medication, the rash has completely faded. How long can the child play with other kids without risking transmission to them?
Answer
Patients with hand, foot, and mouth disease, as well as asymptomatic carriers, are the main sources of infection. During outbreaks, patients are the primary source of infection. In the acute phase, patients can shed the virus in their feces for 3-5 weeks and in their throat for 1-2 weeks. Healthy carriers and mild scattered cases are intermittent and main sources of infection during outbreaks. Guidance: Children who still carry the virus for up to three weeks after treatment and discharge can still transmit the virus and should be isolated at home for three weeks.