Herpangina - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Herpangina Definition

Herpangina is a mild disease of children. Herpangina my be caused by a coxsackievirus and marked by fever, dysphagia, and vesicopapular lesions of the mucous membranes of the throat. Herpangina may be characterized by ulcers and lesions inside the mouth, sore throat, and fever. If similar shallow blister-like lesions appear on the palms or soles, it may be called hand, foot, and mouth disease. It is marked by vesiculopapular lesions about 1 to 2 mm in diameter which are present around the fauces and soon break down to form grayish yellow ulcers.

Herpangina usually affects children under age 10 (except newborns because of maternal antibodies), and generally subsides in 4 to 7 days. It's slightly more common in late summer and fall, and can be sporadic, endemic, or epidemic.

Herpangina Causes

Herpangina is caused by Coxsackie virus, typically Coxsackie group A viruses. Herpangina may be characterized by mouth ulcers, but a high fever, sore throat, and headache may precede the appearance of the lesions. A history of herpangina at school or in the neighborhood increases the chances your child will develop the illness. The ulcers may be very painful. Generally, there are only a few sores.

The number of cases of herpangina is unknown, but it is a common childhood infection. Cases of herpangina at school or in the neighborhood increase the chances your child will develop the illness. The main mode of transmission of herpangina is fecal-oral transfer.

Herpangina Symptoms

After a 2- to 9-day incubation period, herpangina hegins ahruptly with a pain on swallowing, a temperature of 100° to 104° F.

The other symptoms of the herpangina may be included:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sore throat
• Pharyngitis
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Lesions in mouth
• Lesions on feet
• Fever dysphagia
• Lesions in hands
• Lesions in buttocks
• Painful swallowing

Herpangina Treatment

The important issues are getting children plenty of fluids, relieving their pain, and treating their other symptoms as appropriate.

Acetaminophen or ibuprofen by mouth for fever and discomfort as recommended.

Herpangina doesn't require isolation or hospitalization but does require careful hand washing and sanitary disposal of excretions.

Topical anesthetic agents for the mouth. These may contain benzocaine or xylocaine. These are usually not required.