Patient's question:
Patient Age: Newborn baby just completed one month. I heard that May-July is the peak season for hand, foot, and mouth disease. How does it affect newborns? How can it be prevented? Answer the questions raised.Doctor's answer:
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common childhood infectious disease caused by various human enteroviruses. It primarily affects children under the age of 5, especially infants under 3 years old, and can occur year-round, with a higher incidence from April to September. After infection, patients typically develop fever, usually around 38°C, accompanied by rashes on the mouth, hands, feet, and buttocks, or oral mucosal blisters. Most cases recover within 7 to 10 days with symptomatic treatment. However, a minority of cases, particularly those infected with EV71, may develop serious complications such as meningitis, encephalitis, encephalomyelitis, or pulmonary edema. These conditions can be life-threatening, potentially leading to death or leaving lasting sequelae.