Question
What is the cause of hand, foot, and mouth disease? What are the theoretical bases for it? How should prevention efforts be carried out?
Answer
The infectious sources of hand, foot, and mouth disease are patients and asymptomatic carriers. During outbreaks, patients are the main source of infection. Patients excrete the virus from the oropharynx for 1 to 2 weeks after onset and from feces for about 3 to 5 weeks. The vesicle fluid contains a large amount of virus, and the virus is released when it breaks down. Therefore, it is mainly transmitted through close contact between people. The virus in the secretions of the throat and saliva of patients can be transmitted through airborne droplets. The virus can be transmitted through daily contact with contaminated hands, towels, handkerchiefs, tooth cups, toys, tableware, feeding utensils, bedding, underwear , etc. It can also be indirectly transmitted through water, food, mouthwash cups, and the hands of medical staff. This disease has a strong infectiousness and complex transmission routes, which can cause an outbreak in a short period of time.