Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease

HFMD is mainly caused by enteroviruses (Cox A16 and EV71 most common). Late summer/early autumn peak (September), children <5 years. Symptoms: oral pain, anorexia, drooling, low fever, small vesicles/ulcers on hands/feet/mouth/buttocks. Uncomplicated cases recover in ~1 week; rare severe myocarditis/pulmonary edema/aseptic meningoencephalitis/death.

Common Symptoms

Papulomacular rash; sore throat; erosive vesicles; abdominal pain; low fever; oral pain; anorexia; salivation

Causes and Pathogenesis

Cox A16 most common; other Cox A/EV71. Enterovirus (Picornaviridae) infects entire GI tract via contaminated food/water; replicates in gut. Children <4; universal susceptibility; type-specific immunity only. FMDV (Aphthovirus) 22-30 nm, 7 serotypes, 63 subtypes—cattle/sheep/pigs; human infection via direct contact/milking, raw milk/dairy; rare human-to-human. Pathology: skin/mucosal vesicles; "tiger-heart" myocarditis.

Treatment

Drug therapy, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

Report outbreaks; morning checks; isolate suspected cases; disinfect toys/utensils (3% bleach); sun bedding; ventilation; handwashing before meals/after toilet; avoid crowded places; nutrition/rest. TCM: Ban-Lan-Gen/Da-Qing-Yin/Jin-Yin-Hua/Guan-Zhong decoctions; Jin-Yin-Hua/Yin-Chen/Yi-Yi-Ren/Gan-Cao tea; Deng-Xin-Hua/Huo-Xiang/Sheng-Shi-Gao/Fang-Feng/Dan-Zhu-Ye tea for oral ulcers; external wash with Ye-Ju-Hua/Zi-Cao/Di-Fu-Zi/Ku-Shen for hand-foot vesicles. Handwashing, no raw food; school disinfection (iodine swabs, gloves).

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the General Pediatrics department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.