Herpangina usually outbreaks during the rainy season and is commonly found in children aged 2 to 10 years.
What causes herpangina?
This disease is caused by viruses in the Coxsackie virus group A (Coxsackie viruses A serotype 1 – 10, 16, and 22) and Enterovirus.
How is herpangina transmitted?
Herpangina is contagious through contact with mucus, saliva, secretions, and feces of infected individuals. Sometimes, touching these and then putting hands into the mouth or accidentally ingesting can cause infection. Symptoms appear about 3-14 days after exposure. Infected individuals can spread the virus from the first day until recovery, which is about 1-2 weeks from infection.
The high-risk group for this disease is children under 10 years old, and it is more common in children than adults because children do not yet have immunity to this virus. Especially children attending kindergarten often play or share objects, increasing the chance of infection. The virus can survive longer in cool and humid air, so it outbreaks more during the rainy season but can be found in all seasons.
Symptoms of herpangina
Generally, herpangina symptoms are not severe but may include sudden fever, with temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius, headache, body aches, possible vomiting, and a prominent symptom of pain in the palate and throat initially. Within 1 day, red spots appear on the soft palate, uvula, and possibly red bumps on the tonsils or inside the throat.
These may be small ulcers in the center of the blisters or inflammation around the ulcers, numbering 5-10 blisters. Fever usually subsides within 2-4 days, but the ulcers may persist for about 1 week.
Complications to watch for include encephalitis, myocarditis, and muscle weakness, which can be fatal, but these complications are rare.
Treatment of herpangina
Treatment is symptomatic, including sponging to reduce fever and giving paracetamol. Antiviral or antimicrobial drugs (antibiotics) are not required unless there is suspicion of secondary bacterial infection.
Children with this disease can eat all types of food. If a child has severe symptoms and refuses to swallow food, soft foods, cold water, cold milk, ice cream, and possibly anesthetic medication can be given to help the child eat, or topical medication to treat mouth ulcers to relieve pain. Generally, the disease resolves on its own.
When should you take the child to the doctor?
Take the child to the doctor immediately if symptoms worsen, including:
- Fever does not subside within 3 days or is very high
- Unable to eat or drink milk, showing signs of dehydration such as dry mouth or decreased urination
- Becoming lethargic
Prevention of herpangina
Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent herpangina. The best prevention method is to wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water and avoid contact with saliva, mucus, and personal items of infected children, including toys. If a child is sick, they should stay home from school for 7 days to prevent spreading the infection.
