Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is one of the most common viral infections in children and grown-ups alike. It is accompanied by mouth sores, rashes on the palms and soles and sometimes fever. The disease can be both painful as well as troublesome. For the caretakers, stopping such outbreaks of the disease can be difficult, especially if there are new reported cases. 

Ways of how it develops and its prevention are all important aspects every caregiver should be aware of in order to protect his or her child from contracting the disease. In this document, we will discuss useful ideas that can help parents prevent the disease in their families so that HFMD does not play a role in your home.

Common Hand, Foot, and Mouth Diseases

Hand, Foot and Mouth Diseases (HFMD) only have a few causative viruses, and the most prevalent include:

Coxsackievirus A16: This is the most common etiology of HFMD although it is usually mild in nature. It usually results in the specific rash and ulcers.

Enterovirus 71 (EV71): This virus is capable of producing more severe illness and other illness symptoms than Coxsackievirus A16. It is usually associated with bigger epidemics and, at times, usher in neurological complications.

Coxsackievirus A6: It is associated with more widespread and severe rashes, sometimes in the form of eczema, thus resulting in increased outbreaks.

Coxsackievirus A10: While less common than most, after A16 and EV71 at least, this virus is still known to cause cases of HFMD. The same symptoms are sometimes reported as those seen with other strains.

Enterovirus 68: This virus is less common in HFMD recessions, but its relationship to other papers is unquestionable.

How to Prevent Hand, Foot, and Mouth Diseases

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a highly contagious viral infection that is commonly observed among children but can affect adults as well. It is caused by different kinds of viruses, mainly Coxsackievirus A16 and Enterovirus 71. HFMD can be avoided through careful planning, attention to hygiene to limit possible exposures and discipline. Below are various measures that can be utilized to prevent HFMD:

Maintain proper hand hygiene.

• Hand Washing:

Technique: Hands should be washed with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds paying much attention to the back of the hand, the wrist, in between the fingers and beneath the fingernails.

Timing: Examples of when to wash hands are after going to the toilet, after changing diapers, after handling food, or after touching anything that is shared with other people.

• Hand Sanitizer:

When to use: Apply soap and water when traveling when soap and water are not available. The hand sanitizer must contain more than 60% alcohol.

Application: Apply a fair amount of the sanitizer and scrub it on every portion of the hands until no dampness is felt and all of the gel is absorbed into the skin.

Keep the environment clean.

• Cleaning And Sanitizing Of Often Touched Areas:

Surfaces: Areas that are impacted in this case would be primarily doorknobs, light switches, kitchen tops and other equipment that people would come into contact with.

Products: Effective disinfectant against viruses is to be used. The instructions provided by the manufacturer should be adhered to concerning the way the disinfectant is applied and the amount of time left before it is wiped off.

• Sanitize Shared Items:

Toys and Utensils: Regularly clean toys, furniture, utensils, and other shared items with soap and water. Use disinfecting wipes for toy items that can't be washed.

Linens: Bedsheets, towels, and clothes must be laundered in hot water with detergent and dried at high-temperature settings.

Practice Social Distancing from Those Affected by Infection

• Isolation:

Children: In children with HFMD, it is good for families to take children with this disease out of circulation until they are no longer infectious. This minimizes the risk of transmission.

Adults: For example, if adults are infected by those adults, close contact such as hugging, kissing, or sharing eats and drinks should be avoided.

• Monitor Symptoms:

Recognition: Information about HFMD and monitoring symptoms that present in the disease, such as mouth sores, fever, and rash of the hands and soles, should be systematically carried out. Early investigation assists in determining other preventive measures to be taken.

Introduce the Idea of Hygiene to Children

• Hand Washing Education:

Demonstration: Include washing of hands effectively as a fun activity to children and inculcate it into their daily activities.

Reminders: Remember to stress the importance of hand-washing, especially before meals and after going to the toilet to the children.

• Avoid Sharing Personal Items:

No Sharing: Sell to children the concept of refraining from sharing food and drink, cutlery, and consumables such as towels and combs.

Stay Updated on the Outbreaks

• Community Awareness:

Public Health Notices: Remain vigilant on public health notices from the local health department with regard to any case of HFMD reported in your region.

School and Daycare Policies: Observe the notices of the institution regarding an outbreak of HFMD, and the strategies fundamental towards prevention.

• Extra Precautions During Outbreaks:

Enhanced Hygiene: The emphasis on sterilization of surfaces or washing of hands should be increased during such outbreaks.

Avoid Group Settings: During a serious outbreak, some children may be at a higher risk of contamination and so it may be wise to try and limit their exposure to public gatherings. This would include, limit the amount of classes or other activities involving groups of people.

Good Respiratory Hygiene Are Required.

• Cough and Sneezing Etiquette.

Proper Techniques: Teach kids to hold their tissues or elbows against their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze into the air rather than into the child's bare hand.

Waste Disposal: Employ used tissues in a bin and wash hands as thoroughly as possible.

Sick Children Should Stay Home.

• Home Isolation:

Rest and Recovery: Do not take sick children to school or day care as it could forcibly risk the transmission of the illness to healthy children because children are infectious until signs and symptoms of the disease have disappeared, which is usually after 48 hours after temperature has returned to normal levels.

• Consult Healthcare Providers:

Medical Advice: If a parent thinks that their child has HFMD or the disease has progressed, parents should seek out healthcare practitioners for advice in taking care of the condition and what day would be appropriate to come back to the days of social contact.

Conclusion:

To sum up, Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is not easy to deal with both by children and their parents but there are effective ways to prevent the disease and therefore significantly decrease its threat. It is possible to protect the family from these transmittable infections through regular hand washing, keeping places sanitary and avoiding strategies that encourage contact with the infected. 

There are more ways that can help get rid of difficulties: teaching children how to avoid bad habits, tracking down trendy cases of deseases, and following the ways of good respiratory health which all united create an increasing healthier population.