Herpangina

Herpangina | Overview

Overview

Herpangina is an illness caused by a virus, characterized by small blister-like bumps or ulcers that appear in the mouth, usually in the back of throat or the roof of the mouth. If your child has herpangina, she will probably have a high fever. Herpangina is very contagious and is usually seen in children between the ages of 1 and 4. It's seen most often in the summer and fall.

What causes herpangina?

Herpangina is caused by a virus. The most common viruses that cause herpangina are:

coxsackie virus
echovirus

Herpangina | Symptoms & Causes

In-Depth

You can help prevent your child from getting herpangina by ensuing that her hands are kept clean. If your child has herpangina, good handwashing is also necessary to help prevent the spread of the disease.

The following are the most common symptoms of herpangina. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms to look for in your child include:

blister-like bumps in the mouth, usually in the back of the throat and on the roof of the mouth
headache
quick onset of fever
high fever, sometimes up to 106F
pain in the mouth or throat
drooling
decrease in appetite

Herpangina | Testing & Diagnosis

Tests

Herpangina is usually diagnosed based on a complete history and physical examination of your child. The lesions of herpangina are unique and usually allow for a diagnosis simply on physical examination.

Herpangina | Treatments

The goal of treatment for herpangina is to help decrease the severity of the symptoms. Since it's a viral infection, antibiotics are ineffective. Treatment for your child may include:

increased fluid intake
acetaminophen for any fever

Warning