Question
What are the transmission methods of hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Answer
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is primarily transmitted through the saliva, vesicle fluid, and feces of infected individuals. During outbreaks, items that come into direct or indirect contact with contaminated items from patients, such as utensils and toys, can also become infected with the virus. The virus is secreted from the throat within one to two weeks after onset of the disease, and it appears in the feces three to five weeks after onset. The vesicle fluid contains a large amount of virus, and when the vesicles rupture, the virus is released, increasing the risk of transmission. Therefore, during outbreaks, preventive measures are very important. It is necessary to avoid contact with patients as much as possible and maintain environmental hygiene to reduce the spread of the virus.