Herpangina (synonyms: Angina aphthosa; Angina herpetica; Herpangina; Herpangina due to coxsackie infection; Herpangina Zahorsky; Pharyngitis aphthosa; Pharyngitis due to coxsackieviruses; Pharyngeal infection due to coxsackieviruses; Pharyngeal infection due to coxsackieviruses; Vesicular pharyngitis due to enteroviruses; Zahorsky syndrome; Zahorsky disease; ICD-10-GM B08. 5: Vesicular pharyngitis due to enteroviruses) refers to an infectious disease of the lymphatic pharyngeal ring that usually occurs in childhood.
The disease is caused by coxsackie viruses. The RNA virus belongs to the genus of enteroviruses, to the family of picornaviruses. Serotypes A and B can be distinguished, which in turn can be divided into several subgroups.Herpangina is caused by group A coxsackie virus. Type A4 is the most common pathogen, with A1 to A3, A5 to A10, and A16 to A22, as well as B3, occurring less frequently.
Humans currently represent the only relevant pathogen reservoir.
Occurrence: The infection occurs worldwide. In temperate zones predominantly in the summer season. Regions/people with low socioeconomic status are particularly affected.
Contagiousness (infectiousness or transmissibility of the pathogen) is high.The pathogens are relatively insensitive to disinfectants.
Seasonal accumulation of the disease: Herpangina occurs more frequently in the summer months and in autumn (in small epidemics or sporadically).
Transmission of the pathogen (route of infection) occurs through saliva or directly fecal-oral (infections in which pathogens excreted with feces (fecal) are absorbed through the mouth (oral)), e.g., through contaminated drinking water and/or contaminated food).
The entry of the pathogen into the body is enteral (the pathogen enters via the intestine or bacteria as feces enter the body via the mouth); it is therefore a fecal-oral infection or parenterally (the pathogen does not enter via the intestine), i.e. in this case, it enters the body via the respiratory tract (inhalation infection).
Human-to-human transmission: Yes.
The incubation period (time from infection to onset of disease) is usually 7-14 days.
Peak incidence: the maximum incidence of infection is in childhood (<7 years of age).infection may also occur in adolescents and young adults.
The duration of infectivity (contagiousness) begins as early as 2-3 days before the onset of the disease and persists throughout the duration of symptoms. The virus can be detected in the stool for up to several weeks.The disease leaves lifelong immunity.
Course and prognosis: The disease lasts only a few days and usually has no complications. Therapy is symptomatic.
Vaccination is not available.In cases of high risk, gamma globulin can be administered within 72 hours of exposure.
In Germany, an outbreak is not reportable according to the Infection Protection Act (IfSG). However, if an outbreak is suspected, notification must be made by the laboratory director.
