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HERPANGINA

HERPANGINA
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GENERAL INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION

Herpangina is a viral inflammation of the mouth and throat. The soft palate (back of the mouth and tonsil area) is involved. Herpangina usually affects young children (1 to 10 years).
Appropriate health care includes:

Home care.

Physician's monitoring of general condition and medications.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Fever.

Sudden sore throat, with redness, inflammation, and painful swallowing.

General ill feeling.

Vomiting and abdominal pain (sometimes).

Tiny blisters (vesicles) in the affected areas. The blisters become small ulcers.

CAUSES
Infection from a virus (Coxsackie virus) that is spread from person to person.

RISK FACTORS
Summer and early fall seasons.

PREVENTING COMPLICATIONS OR RECURRENCE

Cannot be prevented at present, but washing hands carefully prevents its spread.

BASIC INFORMATION

MEDICAL TESTS

Your own observation of symptoms.

Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.

Throat culture to rule out possible streptococcal infections.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

Febrile convulsions (caused by fever).

PROBABLE OUTCOME
Spontaneous recovery in a few days to a week.

TREATMENT

HOME CARE

Try to reduce your child's fever if it rises above 105F (40.6C) rectally. See How to Reduce Your Child's Fever, Appendix 17.

MEDICATION

Medicine usually is not necessary for this disorder. Use non-prescription drugs, such as acetaminophen, to relieve pain and fever.

See Medications section for information regarding medicines your doctor may prescribe.

ACTIVITY
Bed rest is necessary until the fever and sore throat disappear.

DIET & FLUIDS
No special diet. Encourage your child to drink extra fluids, such as water, fruit ices, ice chips, or cool-gelatin solutions. Avoid acid fruit juices, which irritate inflamed tissues.

OK TO GO TO SCHOOL?

When signs of infection have decreased, appetite returns, and alertness, strength, and feeling of well-being will allow.

CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF

Your child has symptoms of herpangina.

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From Complete Guide to Pediatric Symptoms, Illness & Medications by H. Winter Griffith, M.D. Copyright by Putnam Publishing Group. Electronic rights by Medical Data Exchange.