You have probably felt the discomfort and pain of a sore throat if you have ever suffered from the ‘flu’ or common cold, strep throat, or even allergies. In case the sore throat is accompanied by blisters or ulcers, it can quickly go from bad to worse. 

“Herpangina” is an acute febrile condition characterised by sore throat, ulcers, and fever. Though very common in paediatric age groups, it can affect adolescents and adults as well. It is highly contagious and is most commonly reported in the summer months. 

The disease is caused by 22 different types of enterovirus, the most common being the Coxsackie B virus serotype. Other viruses that can cause similar conditions are echovirus, adenovirus, parechovirus, and herpes simplex virus.

Coxsackievirus can also cause several different conditions that affect different parts of the body, such as:

  • Hand, foot and mouth disease: It is a viral illness that typically affects children under 5 years of age; however, it can sometimes occur in adults. Symptoms include fever, mouth blisters, and a skin rash.

  • Haemorrhagic conjunctivitis: It is a highly contagious eye infection that is characterised by swollen, painful, and watery red eyes, often associated with light sensitivity and blurred vision.

What Are The Symptoms of Herpangina?

Every child with herpangina might feel a bit different. The most common symptoms include but are not limited to:

  • Vesicular blisters in the mouth, often in the back of the throat and on the roof of the mouth.

  • Sudden onset of fever (may go up to 106°F).

  • Pain in the mouth or throat.

  • Pain in the neck.

  • Headache.

  • A general feeling of discomfort (malaise).

  • Drooling and vomiting (in infants).

  • Decrease in appetite.

  • Difficulty in swallowing.

  • Swollen lymph nodes.

Tiny ulcers on the back of the throat or the roof of the mouth appear about two days after the initial infection. These tend to be light grey in colour with a red border, most often. The ulcers usually heal within 5 to 7 days.

What is The Treatment of Herpangina?

This condition is often self-limiting with a good recovery rate. The treatment is often based on the patient’s age, health status, and severity of the symptoms. 

The goal of the treatment is to manage the symptoms, especially the pain and also prevent any possible complications. 

Since this is a viral infection, antibiotics play no role in its management. The symptomatic management includes the following:

  • Ease the pain. Drink cold juices/fluids or suck on something cold, like ice chips or a popsicle to soothe the area.

  • Hydrate well. Drink extra fluids, especially water, throughout the day to prevent dehydration.

  • Maintain oral care. Gargles with warm salt water or betadine mouth-gargling solution to kill any bacteria/viruses in the mouth/throat.

  • Continue medications. Take medications such as paracetamol, analgesics (painkillers), and lozenges, as prescribed by your doctors.

  • Follow a bland yet healthy diet. Eat light, liquid/semi-solid foods with enough calories and stay away from acidic, spicy, and junk foods.

Most children with this illness recover in about a week. 

How Can it be Prevented?

Since the infection spreads through the faeco-oral (contaminated faeces from an infected person are ingested by another person) route, respiratory droplets (sneezing), or direct contact with fluids from vesicles, remember to:

  • Maintain hand hygiene.  Wash your hands frequently with soap and clean, running water for at least 20 seconds.

  • Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. This can prevent the spread of germs to a large extent. 

  • Clean commonly used surfaces, toys, and objects regularly. Use a disinfectant to destroy the disease-carrying microbes. 

  • Isolate or keep the child/patient at home, if they are ill. This can help prevent the spread of illness to others.


Disclaimer: This article is written by the Practitioner for informational and educational purposes only. The content presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.