How is Hand Foot and Mouth Disease Spread

What is Hand Foot and Mouth Disease？

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a common acute febrile rash illness caused by enteroviruses. It mainly affects infants and children under 5 years old. The disease is more common in hot and humid seasons and is characterized by rashes and small blisters on the hands, feet, and in the mouth, often accompanied by fever.

In some cases, it can lead to complications such as aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, respiratory infections, and myocarditis; a few severe cases progress rapidly and can be fatal.

How is Hand Foot and Mouth Disease Spread？

Transmission sources:

Close contact: The virus can be spread through contact with the infected person's feces, nasal secretions, saliva, and blister fluid.

Respiratory droplets: When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the virus can be released into the air and inhaled by others.

Food and water: Eating food or drinking water contaminated with the virus can also cause infection.

Transmission routes:

Close contact:

Contact with the patient's saliva, nasal discharge, blister fluid, etc.
Contact with items contaminated with the virus, such as toys, towels, clothing, etc.
Direct contact with the patient's skin rash.

Respiratory droplet transmission: When the patient coughs or sneezes, the virus may be released, and others may become infected by inhaling it.

Food and water transmission:

Eating food touched by the patient or using the same utensils.
Drinking water contaminated with the virus.

Who is susceptible?

Infants and children are generally susceptible, especially those under 5 years old.

High-risk areas:

HFMD is widely distributed without obvious regional characteristics. It can occur throughout the year in tropical and subtropical regions, with more cases in summer and autumn in temperate regions.

Because the HFMD virus can survive for a long time in the environment, it is easily transmitted in daily life through contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated food and water sources. Therefore, maintaining good personal hygiene, avoiding contact with infection sources, and cleaning the environment in a timely manner are crucial for preventing the spread of HFMD.