Herpangina

Herpangina

Herpangina is a disease that causes sores in the throat. It often occurs during the rainy season and is common in children between the ages of 3 and 10 years, affecting boys and girls equally.

What causes Herpangina?

The disease is caused by a virus from the group of coxsackie viruses A serotype 1-10, 16, and 22, as well as groups B1-5.

How is Herpangina transmitted?

Herpangina is highly contagious and can be transmitted through contact with infected individuals, such as through saliva, mucus droplets, coughing, sneezing, feces, and hands entering the mouth. Patients typically experience symptoms about 4-14 days after infection, and can transmit the virus from the first day of infection until they recover, which usually takes about 1-2 weeks.

What are the symptoms of Herpangina?

Patients with Herpangina typically experience sudden fever, which can reach up to 41 degrees Celsius, headache, body aches, and possibly vomiting. A notable symptom is pain in the roof of the mouth and throat, which is followed by red spots on the soft palate, uvula, and possibly red blisters on the tonsils or inside the throat, within a day. Within 24 hours, the red spots turn into small blisters about 1-2 millimeters in size, which can turn into water-filled blisters about 2-4 millimeters in size. There may be small sores in the center of the blisters, and the area around the sores may become inflamed. There may be 5-10 blisters. Fever usually subsides within 2-4 days, but the sores may persist for about a week.

How to treat herpangina?

Treatment depends on the symptoms. Use a cool compress to help reduce fever and give paracetamol (acetaminophen), but not antiviral or antibacterial drugs unless there is suspicion of a bacterial infection. Topical anesthetics may help some older children, but for younger patients, it is recommended to drink cold water or chilled milk to reduce the pain when swallowing. There may be dehydration or mild malnutrition.

When should you take your child to see a doctor?

It is important to take your child to see a doctor when the symptoms are severe, including:

1. Fever does not subside within 3 days, or the fever remains high even after taking fever-reducing medication.

2. Difficulty eating and signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth or decreased urination.

3. When symptoms worsen.

How to prevent herpangina?

There is currently no vaccine to prevent herpangina, so the best way to prevent it is to wash hands regularly, avoid contact with saliva and nasal secretions, and avoid sharing utensils or toys with infected children. If a child is sick, they should stay home from school for one week.