Patient's question:
My child has never had hand, foot, and mouth disease repeatedly before, but after starting school for a short time, the disease appeared repeatedly when they returned home. Now, they are resting at home. Next, how is hand, foot, and mouth disease caused?Doctor's answer:
Enteroviruses thrive and spread in moist and warm environments. They are not sensitive to ether, deoxycholate, and other agents, nor can 75% alcohol and 5% Lysol inactivate them. However, they are sensitive to ultraviolet light and dryness. Various oxidizing agents (such as potassium permanganate and bleach), formaldehyde, and iodine can inactivate the virus. The virus can be rapidly inactivated at 50°C, but a 1 mol concentration of divalent cations can enhance its resistance to thermal inactivation. The virus can survive for 1 year at 4°C and can be stored long-term at -20°C. In the external environment, the virus can persist for an extended period. Most children and adults infected with the virus do not develop symptoms but can still spread the virus. The enteroviruses that cause hand, foot, and mouth disease include enterovirus 71 and certain serotypes of coxsackievirus A and echovirus.