From the Guidelines
Yes, hand, foot, and mouth disease is highly communicable, and it can spread through direct contact with an infected person's saliva, nasal secretions, fluid from blisters, and feces, as well as through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces. The virus can be transmitted through various modes, including direct contact transmission, indirect contact transmission, and droplet transmission 1. According to the evidence, contaminated hands are the predominant mode of transmission of infectious agents, which underscores the importance of appropriate hand hygiene 1.
Key Points to Consider
- The disease can spread through direct contact with an infected person's bodily fluids, such as saliva, nasal secretions, and feces.
- Respiratory droplets can also transmit the virus when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- Contaminated surfaces can harbor the virus, and touching these surfaces can lead to transmission if proper hand hygiene is not practiced.
- Good hand hygiene, avoiding close contact with infected individuals, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, and keeping infected children home from school or daycare are crucial measures to prevent transmission 1.
Prevention and Control
To prevent the transmission of hand, foot, and mouth disease, it is essential to practice good hand hygiene, using alcohol-based hand rub or hand-washing with soap and water before and after contact with each patient or their immediate environment 1. Additionally, avoiding close contact with infected individuals, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, and keeping infected children home from school or daycare until fever subsides and mouth sores heal can help prevent the spread of the disease. The incubation period is typically 3-6 days from exposure to symptom onset, and most people recover completely within 7-10 days without specific treatment.
From the Research
Transmission of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
- Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is transmitted by fecal-oral, oral-oral, and respiratory droplet contact 2
- The disease can spread through indirect transmission via free-living viruses from the environment, which can survive for long periods 3
- Asymptomatic individuals can also contribute to the transmission of HFMD 3
Prevention of HFMD Spread
- Good personal hygiene, such as handwashing, can help prevent the spread of HFMD 2, 4
- Disinfecting potentially contaminated surfaces and fomites can also help prevent the spread of the disease 2
- Cleaning the environment frequently and promoting healthcare precautions can be effective control strategies for preventing HFMD spread 3
Characteristics of HFMD
- HFMD is a viral illness commonly seen in young children under 5 years of age, characterized by oral herpes and rashes on the hands and feet 5
- The disease can be associated with severe cardiopulmonary complications, as well as severe neurological sequelae 5, 4
- HFMD can lead to complications like pneumonia, encephalitis, myocarditis, transverse myelitis, and even death 6