Question

My child has recently been diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth disease. Can they be around other family members? Will it transmit to adults?

Answer

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease has three sources of transmission: 1. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease patients (i.e., the sick); 2. Asymptomatic carriers, who are infected with the virus but do not show symptoms; 3. Healthy carriers, who come into contact with the virus and carry it in their bodies, such as on their skin or in their respiratory tract, and can transmit it to others. Generally, adults act as carriers for the latter two. Therefore, adults should pay attention to washing their hands, changing clothes, gargling, and ventilating the indoor space to prevent transmission to the child.