Fall is a popular season for a herpangina, a viral illness characterized by ulcers and lesions inside the mouth, sore throat and fever. Although it is most commonly seen in infants and young children who are in preschool and daycare, it can occur at any age.
Herpangina usually lasts three to six days. Symptoms typically start with a high fever (103 to 104°F), and mouth sores appear at the same time as or shortly after the fever. Children average about five blisters in the mouth. These blisters are surrounded by red rings and can occur in the back of the throat, on the roof of the mouth, on the tonsils, on the uvula, inside the cheeks or on the tongue. The blisters may start as small red bumps and become ulcers after the blister stage.
Other symptoms might include headache, backache, runny nose, drooling, vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Since herpangina is caused by a viral infection (typically coxsakie virus), antibiotics are not indicated for treatment, said Dr. Sherri Sandifer, a pediatrician with Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates®. Treatment is focused on getting children plenty of fluids, relieving their pain and treating other symptoms.
“We usually recommend a teaspoon of a mixture of Benadryl and Maalox to coat the throat and ease the pain,” Sandifer said.
Herpangina is spread through the saliva of those who have the virus.
“Frequent hand washing – especially after diapering or toileting and before eating – can help reduce the spread of this illness,” Sandifer said.
