From the Guidelines
To prevent hand, foot, and mouth disease in an 18-month-old baby, the most effective method is frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after diaper changes and before meals, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1. This approach is crucial because hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by enteroviruses that spread through direct contact with saliva, nasal secretions, fluid from blisters, or feces of infected persons. Key prevention strategies include:
- Avoiding close contact with infected individuals
- Not sharing utensils or cups
- Regularly disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and toys
- Keeping your child home if they show symptoms to prevent spreading the infection It's also important to note that there's no scientific evidence supporting the use of vitamin C or other supplements to prevent hand, foot, and mouth disease, as stated in the guidelines for infection prevention and control in pediatric ambulatory settings 1. If your child does contract hand, foot, and mouth disease, the focus should be on keeping them comfortable with:
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and pain
- Ensuring adequate hydration
- Offering cold, soft foods that don't irritate mouth sores Hand hygiene, as outlined in the guidelines, is the single most important method of preventing transmission of infectious agents, including those that cause hand, foot, and mouth disease 1.
From the Research
Prevention of Hand Foot Mouth Disease
To prevent hand foot mouth disease in an 18-month-old baby, the following measures can be taken:
- Handwashing: Frequent handwashing, especially before meals, can help prevent the spread of the disease 2
- Disinfecting surfaces: Disinfecting potentially contaminated surfaces and fomites can also help prevent the spread of the disease 3
- Avoiding close contact: Avoiding close contact with individuals who have the disease can also help prevent transmission
- Maintaining good hygiene: Maintaining good hygiene practices, such as regularly cleaning toys and surfaces, can also help prevent the spread of the disease
Vaccination
Currently, there is no widely available vaccine for hand foot mouth disease, but research is being conducted to develop a multivalent vaccine that can protect against multiple strains of the virus 4, 5
- A formalin-inactivated EV-A71 vaccine has completed clinical trials in several Asian countries, but it cannot protect against other major emerging etiologies of HFMD 4
- Vaccines with multiple components are being developed, but several problems concerning their development must be solved before adequate prevention of severe cases of HFMD can be achieved 5
Other Measures
Other measures that may help prevent the spread of hand foot mouth disease include:
- Avoiding sharing food, drinks, or utensils with individuals who have the disease
- Avoiding close contact with individuals who have the disease
- Staying home from school or daycare if the baby has the disease to prevent transmission to others 6