Herpangina is an infectious disease that occurs mainly in babies and children under 7 years of age. Recovery with few complications usually occurs on its own.
What is herpangina?
Herpangina in babies and children is a viral infectious disease in which the palate and throat are locally infected. Among other names, herpangina in baby and child is also called Zahorsky’s disease by medical experts. Herpangina usually occurs during the summer and autumn months. Especially in public facilities such as daycare centers or kindergartens, there is usually an increased risk of herpangina spreading among babies and children during these times. Outwardly visible signs that herpangina may be present include vesicle-forming inflammation of the mucous membranes. Other symptoms that may be associated with herpangina in babies and children include headache, fever as high as 40°C, and sore throat accompanied by difficulty swallowing.
Causes
The cause of herpangina, which can occur in babies and children, is infection with the so-called coxackie viruses. Herpangina can be transmitted in babies and children by both droplet and smear infection. This means that viruses from babies and children infected with herpangina can first be transmitted to other children through secretions from the throat and nose. However, because the viruses responsible for herpangina are also shed in the stool of infected children, herpangina in babies and children can also occur through contact with feces. There is a risk of infection from other children who have herpangina until the disease heals.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
In herpangina, the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat swell after an incubation period of about two to six days. The affected area is severely reddened. Two to three millimeter large, dark red bordered blisters form. These soon develop into flat, painful and inflamed ulcers that are particularly sensitive to acids. In most cases, only the palatal arch is affected. In rare cases, vesicles form on the palatine tonsils, the buccal mucosa, the gums, and the tongue. The lips and the floor of the mouth are not affected. The total number of vesicles does not exceed 20. The throat is painful and usually feels furry. Affected children often have difficulty swallowing. This may also lead to refusal of food. Furthermore, symptoms include loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain. Often there is also a general feeling of illness, headache and fatigue. A rapid rise in fever of up to 40 °C is typical of herpangina. However, the fever subsides after just one day. In rare cases, it lasts for a few days. Usually, herpangina heals on its own within seven days. The areas of the mouth and throat affected by the vesicles recover completely within two weeks.
Diagnosis and course
An existing herpangina disease can often already be suspected in babies and children due to typically occurring symptoms. In addition to the symptoms mentioned, such as inflammatory blisters, headache and difficulty swallowing, herpangina in babies and children can be manifested by a general feeling of illness, abdominal pain, nausea and / or loss of appetite. Although the virus that causes herpangina can also be detected in the throat or stool of an infected baby or child to confirm the diagnosis, this is usually not necessary. The course of herpangina in babies and children is usually free of complications; the disease heals on its own after two weeks at the latest; in most cases, herpangina lasts only a few days. Occasionally, blisters that appear in herpangina may develop into ulcers, which can be painful.
Complications
Herpangina in babies and children does not usually cause any particular complications or discomfort. In most cases, the disease heals on its own, so no medical treatment is necessary. The main symptom is severe swelling of the mucous membrane in the throat and mouth. This also results in swallowing difficulties, which can lead to a refusal to eat.The patient’s intake of fluids is also usually restricted, so that this can lead to deficiency symptoms and dehydration. Especially in children, the physical and mental development of the child is greatly slowed by these complaints. Furthermore, fever also occurs and the affected person usually suffers from fatigue and exhaustion. Not infrequently, there is also a headache, which can lead to irritability, especially in children. Special treatment of herpangina in babies and children is not necessary. The discomfort can be relieved with the help of painkillers or throat lozenges. Furthermore, the child must rest. After a few days, the discomfort will disappear on its own.
When should you go to the doctor?
A visit to the doctor is necessary if the child shows a strongly conspicuous behavior. Weepiness, apathy, apathy or a particularly aggressive demeanor should be investigated. If there is redness or blistering of the mucous membranes in the mouth or gums, a doctor should clarify the abnormalities. If teeth cleaning is refused or the child complains of pain, this should be checked. If there are symptoms such as vomiting, nausea or an elevated body temperature, a doctor should be consulted. A medical examination is needed as soon as the complaints persist for several days as well as increase in intensity. If the baby or child refuses food, there is cause for concern. A doctor should be consulted as soon as there is a loss of weight or no fluid intake over a long period of time. If there is internal dryness, the risk of dehydration increases, and with it the risk of a life-threatening condition. A doctor is needed if headache, abdominal pain or sore throat persists. If swallowing difficulties occur, the child is hoarse or no longer speaks, a doctor is needed. If there are sleep disturbances, a decrease in concentration or problems with attention, a doctor should be consulted. If participation in social life decreases and the child shows general weakness, a doctor’s visit is needed.
Treatment and therapy
Medical treatment of herpangina is not necessary in many cases. However, severe discomfort associated with herpangina in babies and children can be relieved with the help of various measures: For example, a high fever associated with herpangina can be lowered by administering antipyretic medicines. In the case of severe sore throat, which can occur during herpangina, lozenges can relieve the symptoms. For example, mouth rinses can be used against inflammatory processes of the oral mucosa in connection with herpangina, which promote a subsiding of the inflammation. Measures that can support the healing of herpangina in babies and children in a domestic setting include, for example, sparing the infected baby or child and bed rest as far as possible. In order to ensure an adequate supply of fluids and food even in the case of severe swallowing difficulties that can occur in the context of herpangina, the administration of soft foods and liquids that do not cause a burning sensation on the mucous membranes (as can happen, for example, with fruit juices or fruit) is often recommended.
Outlook and prognosis
The prognosis of herpangina in babies and children is usually favorable. Within a few days or weeks, the condition usually heals without further complications or sequelae. Often, medical care is not applied to the infant or child because it is not needed. This is especially true in patients who show few symptoms and the progress of the disease already stagnates within a few hours or days. Depending on the severity of the disease, the patient may nevertheless experience painful manifestations or skin changes. Since they have a negative impact on the child’s general well-being, parents and physicians often decide that action is required. In a drug treatment, the symptoms that have occurred are treated. After a short time, the symptoms are alleviated and the disease gradually heals. Patients suffering from other diseases at the same time may experience delays in the healing process. Since the child’s immune system is not yet fully mature, overexposure occurs, contributing to slow recovery. Nevertheless, the prognosis of herpangina does not change overall.It remains unchanged favorable. In addition to drug treatment, the healing process can be supported by the choice of food intake. This improves the general well-being and strengthens the child’s endogenous defense system.
Prevention
Herpangina in babies and children can be prevented by avoiding direct physical contact with infected babies or children as much as possible. Hygienic measures can also help reduce the risk of smear infection of herpangina.
Follow-up
In most cases, no special aftercare is needed for herpangina in babies and children. As a rule, this is also not possible. It is a mild infectious disease, which can also heal on its own, so that a visit to a doctor is also not always necessary. However, the parents of the affected child should recognize the symptoms and signs of the disease at an early stage and consult a doctor in case of further deterioration. In most cases, the child’s life expectancy is not reduced by this disease. Treatment is usually accomplished by taking medication. Parents should permanently monitor the child’s body temperature and administer antipyretics in case of high fever. If there are any uncertainties or questions, it is advisable to always consult a doctor first so that there are no interactions or undesirable side effects. In general, patients with herpangina in babies and children are on strict bed rest. There should be no strenuous or physical activity. Similarly, care should be taken to ensure adequate fluid intake to avoid oral discomfort.
This is what you can do yourself
In the case of herpangina, parents can support their children in many ways. Since the administration of antibiotics is not indicated in a viral infection, only the treatment of symptoms is carried out. The child’s organism must fight the virus itself. Important in high fever is sufficient fluid intake. Anything that tastes good to the child is allowed. Ideally, still mineral water or unsweetened herbal tea should be drunk. Temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius can be reduced by means of calf wraps or whole-body cooling in the bathtub. However, a stable circulation is mandatory in this case. To treat the blisters in the mouth and throat, mouth rinses are effective: these can be purchased ready-made in the pharmacy or are easy to make yourself. Infusions of sage or chamomile are recommended. They have a germicidal and astringent effect. Sugar-free lozenges made from sage or cistus can already be given to older children. Irritating foods and drinks such as fruit juices and coarse, strongly spiced food should be avoided. A fortifying chicken broth with noodles, on the other hand, has a beneficial effect and is easy to consume. Physical rest is equally important so that the organism can concentrate on the healing process. Homeopathy recommends the remedies Acidum muriaticum C30 against the rashes and Rhus toxicodendron C9, which is especially indicated for itching. Mercurius corrosivus assists in the healing of inflammatory processes of the mucous membranes.
