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What Is Herpangina?

Herpangina is a form of hand, foot, and mouth disease caused by a strain of the coxsackie virus. Children, especially between the ages of the 3 and 10, are most commonly affected by this type of illness, but anyone coming into contact with the pathogen can develop the condition. Regardless of age, the symptoms, treatment and prognosis are usually the same.

  1. Symptoms

    • The most common symptom of herpangina is the development of sores or ulcers within the mouth and throat, but you may also suffer from an outbreak on your hands, feet and even buttocks. They are usually white in color and often are rimmed in red. Accompanying these sores are the symptoms of a sore throat, fever ranging anywhere from 99 to 100 degrees F, a loss of appetite, periodic headaches and mild aches or discomfort.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for herpangina usually revolves around easing your symptoms. Most of the time, this includes a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, to ease any associated discomfort and reduce your fever. You should also talk to your doctor about a prescription anesthetic to help numb the sores.

    Self-care

    • As you treat the symptoms associated with this hand, foot, and mouth disease, you should also put into place some self-care measures to better manage your condition. A change in diet is one of the more effective, as this can lessen the irritation on the mouth and throat. Dairy products are commonly increased and any highly acidic fruits (as well as fruit juices) are restricted. It is also wise to avoid spicy or salty foods and increase fluid consumption. In some cases, you may also need to stick to softer foods during the life of the illness.

    Prognosis

    • Most people with herpangina experience a full recovery from the illness within about a week. And though the prognosis is good, you should still consult a doctor, as the best form of treatment is proper management of the condition. This is largely because of the nature of this viral infection, as the sores can cause a difficulty in swallowing, which can affect fluid consumption and lead to dehydration.

    Prevention

    • Of all the things you can do to prevent herpangina, cleanliness is by far the most effective, namely when it comes to washing your hands. Because feces transmits the coxsackie virus, improper hand washing can easily expose you and others to the virus, so make sure to thoroughly wash your hands after each bowel movement.

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