What Is Herpangina?

By Dana George, eHow Contributor

updated: September 12, 2009
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.

Symptoms

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

Herpangina

1. Herpangina is caused by the Coxsackie virus. Herpangina is the final

stage of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease. Children younger than four are most
susceptible to herpangina. Symptoms this disease include fever and a
characteristic sore throat. A child with herpangina will have an extremely red
throat with many painful blisters inside of the throat and mouth. This blisters
may make it difficult to eat and drink. Herpangina may be preceded by the
stomach flu related to the Coxsackie virus. Like all viral illnesses, herpangina
does not respond to antibiotics. Antibiotics may be prescribed if the blisters
become infected with bacteria.

Transmission

2. Herpangina is transmitted through saliva and fecal matter. Teach your

child how to effectively wash his hands if an outbreak of herpangina occurs in
your child's school or daycare. Hands should be thoroughly washed each
time your child uses the bathroom as well as before and after meals. It is
quite easy to infect hands during both of these activities.

Immunity

3. According to the Merck Manual online, a person who has recovered from
hand foot and mouth disease is immune to herpangina. This does not mean
the same person cannot spread herpangina. Fecal manner can reside on the
hands if they are not sanitized after diaper changing or using the restroom.
The Coxsackie virus, the virus that causes herpangina, can then be
transferred to bottles or food and distributed to non-immune family members.

Sneezing

4. Transmission of Herpangina through sneezing occurs when the sneeze is

not properly covered. Encourage your child to sneeze into tissue whenever
possible. Teach your child to cover an unexpected sneeze with the inside of
her elbow as opposed to her hand.
 Sharing

5. Eating utensils can become contaminated with Coxsackie virus. Be sure

that your child has his own water bottle to take to school. Discourage your
child from sharing cups or eating utensils with other kids.

Quarantine

6. Keep your child home if she becomes infected with Coxsackie virus. This
short-lived illness lasts less than a week. The virus that causes herpangina is
active and present in the feces for several weeks even after the child feels
better. Encourage your child to make effective hand washing a routine part of
his bathroom routine to prevent herpangina and other infectious diseases.

Read more: How Does Herpangina Spread? | eHow.com

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spread.html#ixzz0zbOqF2AE

Read more: What Is Herpangina? | eHow.com

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• U.S. National Library of Medicine: Herpangina

• Mayo Clinic: Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease