Herpangina and HFMD are viral infections that are common during childhood years. The most common cause of herpangina is Enterovirus. HFMD is caused mainly by the Coxsackievirus. In recent types, a strain of coxsackievirus had been implicated in herpangina as well.
Herpangina is important because it may cause post-infectious sequelae in the form of muscle jerks in children. This is a commoner if the child infected is less than 3 years old. Herpangina in pregnant women may be dangerous for the unborn baby.
In herpangina, small red blisters or ulcers appear at the back of the mouth and in the throat whereas, in HFMD, they appear on the front of the mouth. Unlike herpangina, the typical rash of HFMD is characterized by small, red blisters on the hands, feet, mouth, and may be found on the skin in other areas of the body like buttocks and genitals.
What are the signs and symptoms of herpangina and HFMD?
Fever and sore throat can develop a few days before the appearance of red spots in the throat and over the palate in herpangina. There may be reddish bumpy rashes on the body.
In cases of HFMD, the reddish rash may appear on tips of hands, over the mouth, buttocks, genitalia, and on the lips and under the tongue. Fever may be seen.
In both cases, children refuse to accept any food or drinks and look irritable and tired. Older children can complain of a sore throat and headache.
How do herpangina and HFMD spread?
Herpangina and hand, foot, and mouth disease can happen throughout the year but are most common in the summer and early fall.
Children spread the virus through direct contact. The route of spread of each virus is mainly fecal-oral. The virus can survive for days on the touched surfaces of toys as well.
Herpangina and HFMD are most infectious during the first week of the infection, and they can continue to spread for several days even after the symptoms get cleared.
After exposure to the virus, it takes about 2-6 days for the symptoms to show up. During this symptom-free period also, the person can spread the virus.
The ulcers and spots in both illnesses will go away on their own within 10 days.
How are herpangina and HFMD treated?
Being viral infections, herpangina and HFMD does not have any dedicated medicine to treat them. There is no antiviral medication available. Treatment is supportive as followed in other simple viral infections. Prevention is the best cure, and the sick child must be kept at home so that the infection is not passed on in the community.
Medicines are given to control the symptoms of fever and pain. Examples include acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin).
Children should be encouraged to drink plenty of water or fluids to prevent dehydration. Chicken soup, eggs, and increased proteins in the diet help strengthen immunity.
Antibiotics do not help in controlling herpangina and HFMD.
How can herpangina and HFMD be prevented?
Following simple steps can help prevent the risk of contracting herpangina and HFMD:
- Proper and thorough washing of hands: Parents should wash their hands with soap and water properly or rub their hands with a hand scrub/sanitizer liquid after changing their child’s diapers and before making food.
- Disinfection of common, shared areas/items: The childcare center should regularly disinfect the entire place including children’s toys.
- Good hygiene practices: Parents should demonstrate to their children a few hygiene practices, such as not putting their fingers in the mouth and wash their hands before eating food.
- Isolation: If the child shows signs and symptoms of herpangina or HFMD, such as fever and sore throat, parents should not send them to daycare centers and schools till the symptoms do not go away. They should isolate their children at home.
SLIDESHOW
The 14 Most Common Causes of Fatigue See SlideshowGompf SG. Herpangina. Medscape. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/218502-overview
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Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
What Is Enterovirus (Non-Polio Enterovirus Infection)?
Non-polio enteroviruses cause a variety of infections, including aseptic meningitis, hand, foot, and mouth disease, herpangina, and the common cold. Symptoms and signs of enterovirus infection include hypoxia, eye pain, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fever. Treatment involves supportive care to reduce symptoms.
Herpangina
Herpangina is a contagious illness often seen in children. It is caused by a Coxsackievirus or an enterovirus. Symptoms and signs include mouth sores, fever, and sore throat. Treatment focuses on alleviating fever and pain with acetaminophen and ibuprofen. It is important for children to stay well hydrated, as children may be resistant to eating or drinking.
Is Sore Throat (Pharyngitis) Contagious?
Pharyngitis is a contagious infection that can spread from one person to another. Depending on the cause of your sore throat, you may be more or less contagious. Evaluation from a healthcare provider can help diagnose the cause of your sore throat.
Sore Throat
Sore throat (throat pain) usually is described as pain or discomfort in the throat area. A sore throat may be caused by bacterial infections, viral infections, toxins, irritants, trauma, or injury to the throat area. Common symptoms of a sore throat include a fever, cough, runny nose, hoarseness, earaches, sneezing, and body aches. Home remedies for a sore throat include warm soothing liquids and throat lozenges. OTC remedies for a sore throat include OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Antibiotics may be necessary for some cases of sore throat.
Sore Throat Home Remedies
Natural and home remedies for sore throat symptoms and pain relief include essential oils, licorice gargles, slippery elm leaves, raw garlic, Throat Coat tea, sage, and acupuncture. Typical symptoms of a sore throat include throat pain, coughing, sneezing, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Sore throats are caused by viral (common cold, flu, mumps), bacterial (tonsillitis, some STDs), toxins, allergens, trauma or injury, or "mechanical causes" (breathing through the mouth).
Sore Throat or Strep Throat? How to Tell the Difference
Is this a sore throat or could it be strep throat? Explore the causes of a sore throat, including strep throat, and learn how to find relief from that raw, scratchy throat pain.