Question
There is a seven-month-old baby in the family who has contracted hand, foot, and mouth disease. Besides the five-year-old older brother, how can we prevent the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease at home?
Answer
When a seven-month-old baby in the family has hand, foot, and mouth disease, to protect other family members, especially the five-year-old older brother, you can take the following preventive measures:
- Hand Hygiene: Ensure everyone in the household washes their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or uses a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
- Cleaning and Disinfection: Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces that may be contaminated with the virus, such as the baby’s crib, toys, and frequently touched items.
- Social Distancing: Keep the infected baby at a certain distance from other children to reduce the risk of transmission.
- Monitor Symptoms: Watch for signs of fever, oral ulcers, and rashes in children who have not yet contracted hand, foot, and mouth disease.
- Medical Consultation: If there is a suspicion that other children may have been infected, contact a doctor promptly for assessment and treatment. Please note that hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by various types of enteroviruses, so it is recommended that parents follow the doctor’s instructions to ensure that their children receive appropriate treatment and care.