Herpangina, an infection that often attacks the mouth and throat

Young children often experience blisters or ulcers on the back of their throat. This condition, called herpangina, often occurs at the transition of seasons (transition). However, it is not only children who can experience it, adults can also get it. What is herpangina? How is it spread?

What is herpangina?

Herpangina is an infectious condition of the mouth and throat caused by a group of viruses called enteroviruses. This is similar to another condition that affects children, known as illness hand, foot and mouth disease. The cause is both enterovirus viruses.

Please note, infections caused by enteroviruses are very contagious and easily spread from one child to another. Adults too can experience herpangina. However, adults who get herpangina are quite rare, because the adult body already has strong antibodies to fight the virus.

Herpangina is usually also caught if you come into direct contact with the feces of someone who has had herpangina in the past. For example, when parents help their children clean themselves after defecating. In addition, this infection can also be spread through saliva, sneezing, or coughing. The virus that causes herpangina is also able to survive and move on to surfaces such as tables and children's toys for several days.

What are the characteristics of herpangina?

Symptoms of herpangina vary from person to person, but usually include the following characteristics:

Sudden fever.
Sore throat.
Headache.
The neck hurts.
Swollen lymph nodes.
Pain or difficulty swallowing.
No appetite.
Saliva continues to drip (in babies).
Vomiting (in infants).
There are small sores on the back of the mouth and throat that can be seen in the initial infection. The sores tend to be gray in color and often have a red border, similar to a canker sore.

You should contact your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms of herpangina:

Has a high fever, the temperature is above 40 degrees Celsius.
Sores in the mouth or sore throat that lasts more than five days.
Symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth and eyes, weakness, infrequent urination, dark urine, and sunken eyes.

How to treat herpangina?

Disease conditions caused by this virus are usually treated by reducing and eliminating the symptoms, especially the pain that is centered around the mouth and throat. Since this is a disease caused by a viral infection, antibiotics are not an effective form of treatment. Instead, your doctor may recommend some of the following treatments:

Take ibuprofen or paracetamol

These medications can reduce sore throat, discomfort and reduce fever symptoms. Do not use aspirin to treat symptoms of a viral infection in children or adolescents. This condition is similar to Reye's syndrome, a life-threatening disease that causes swelling and sudden inflammation of the liver and brain.

Pain relieving creams or ointments

Usually the doctor will instruct you to use certain pain relievers, such as lidocaine. These medications can reduce pain in the throat or mouth due to a viral infection.

Increase fluid intake

If you are exposed to this condition, it is important to keep your body well hydrated. What you can do is drink plenty of fluids during the recovery period, especially milk and water. Eating popsicles from real fruit juices can also help soothe a sore throat. Avoid drinking hot drinks, as they can make the symptoms of sores in the mouth and throat worse.