Question
Can hand, foot, and mouth disease be infected?
Answer
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is still relatively common in clinical diagnosis at present, mainly affecting infants and young children. It is caused by enterovirus infection and has a high level of contagiousness. The incubation period for the disease is 2 to 7 days, with sources of infection including patients and asymptomatic carriers. During the peak season, the disease spreads in various ways, primarily through close contact among people. The virus can contaminate hands, towels, handkerchiefs, cups, toys, utensils, feeding bottles, bedding items, and underwear through industrial waste. Patients are the main source of infection. During the acute phase of the illness, the virus can be excreted from the throat of patients; the virus in the secretions of the throat and saliva of patients can be transmitted through droplets; therefore, we should pay attention to regular sterilization, ventilation, and maintaining an appropriate temperature.