Question
A neighbor’s baby is one year old and has hand, foot, and mouth disease. They have been discharged from the hospital after receiving injections, but there are still scabs that haven’t fallen off. Can my baby, who is less than five months old, play with them?
Answer
Although the sores from the hand, foot, and mouth disease in the child have crusted over but not yet fallen off, this indicates that they are still contagious. Since your baby is less than five months old and is in a more susceptible stage, it is recommended to avoid contact with the source of infection as much as possible. In this case, it is best to isolate completely for safety. If your baby contracts hand, foot, and mouth disease, parents should take their child to a doctor for immediate treatment and avoid self-medication. At the same time, provide your child with enough care and attention to help them recover quickly.