At the turn of spring and summer, the temperature is getting higher and higher, and the incidence of hand, foot and mouth disease is also increasing, and the risk of cluster outbreaks in densely populated places such as schools and childcare institutions is increasing. Doctors suggest that parents and teachers should do a good job of ventilation and disinfection, pay more attention to the symptoms of children's hands, feet, mouth and other parts in daily life, and seek medical attention in time if abnormalities are found.
According to Lu Deming, deputy director of the Department of Pediatrics at the Second People's Hospital of Foshan, since May, the number of children with hand, foot and mouth disease in the outpatient clinic has increased compared with the previous month. Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common acute infectious disease in children aged 5 years and younger caused by a variety of enteroviruses. It can occur throughout the year, and it is currently the peak of infections in spring and summer.
"The clinical manifestations are mostly fever, herpes on the oral mucosa, maculopapular rash and herpes on the hands, feet and buttocks, which can be accompanied by cough, runny nose, loss of appetite and other symptoms." Lu Yuming said. Parents should know how to recognize the symptoms, and see a doctor immediately if the child is not feeling well.
Lo said that because HFMD is spread through close contact and respiratory droplets, including contact with clothing, food, toys and books contaminated with the virus, it is possible to get the disease. Doctors recommend that children must develop a good habit of washing their hands frequently. The second is to eat a balanced diet, work and rest on time, and improve immunity. In addition, for the EV71 virus, which is prone to severe disease, parents can choose to get vaccinated to prevent infection.
As HFMD is more common in preschool children, childcare institutions and schools should implement daily morning and afternoon check-ups. In the Guijiang Kindergarten in Guicheng, Nanhai, every child will be checked by the health worker before entering the kindergarten, "During the morning check, if we find that a child has fever, rash and other symptoms, we will immediately notify the parents to seek medical treatment in time." Tang Chunxia, a health worker at Guijiang Kindergarten, told reporters that the kindergarten classrooms will be ventilated and disinfected with ultraviolet rays every day. Children's toys, sanitary utensils, dining utensils and other items used by children will be cleaned, soaked, dried and disinfected.
It should be noted that children diagnosed with HFMD should be hospitalized or observed at home according to the doctor's instructions, and should not bring illness to school. During this period, the child should avoid going out, do not go to public places where crowds gather, avoid contact and play with other children, and return to school (kindergarten) certificate issued by the hospital after recovery.
Text, photo, video/Foshan News Media Center reporter Shi Chunju and Huang Jincheng