Herpangina in baby and child – causes, complaints & therapy

Herpangina (often also Zahorsky disease) is a febrile infectious disease in the area of the oral mucosa and palatine tonsils, which often occurs in babies and toddlers under the age of seven. The disease is caused by Coxsackie viruses type A and is primarily diagnosed in the summer and autumn months. Herpangina usually proceeds without complications and is healed within a week. Typical symptoms such as blistering and difficulty swallowing usually last only a few days.

Causes

Herpangina is caused by infection with Coxsackie A viruses, which belong to the group of enteroviruses; these pathogens are also triggers for conjunctivitis and summer flu. The viruses are excreted by those affected via the stool and can thus be transmitted to other people through a smear infection.In addition, infection by a droplet infection is possible; the pathogens are transmitted by coughing or sneezing via secretions of the nasopharynx. Coxsackie A viruses can also be detected in contaminated food and drinking water, which is why this transmission route is not excluded.

When to see a doctor?

In case of blisters and redness on the neck and in the mouth of the toddler, a doctor should be consulted. If the skin changes spread or increase in size, a doctor’s visit is necessary. If there is swelling of the mucous membranes or open wounds, medical care must take place. Since there is a high risk of infection until the herpangina heals, special care should be taken. Precautions can be discussed with a doctor.

If there is loss of appetite or refusal of food, a doctor’s visit is necessary if there has been no food intake for several days. In case of weight loss or the risk of dehydration, medical assistance is needed. If there are noticeable changes in behavior, a doctor should be consulted. A consultation with a physician is necessary if the child is particularly aggressive or cries permanently.

In case of sore throat, pain when swallowing, fever or lack of energy, a doctor should be consulted. If the child complains of abdominal pain, headache or nausea, a doctor’s visit is necessary. Sleep disorders, concentration problems or a general weakness should be clarified and treated. If the child loses the desire to participate in leisure activities or has a strong need for sleep, a doctor should be consulted as soon as this condition persists or intensifies over a longer period of time.

Symptoms and course

Typical symptoms of herpangina:

• Fever

• Inflammation of the oral mucosa

• Swallowing

• Anorexia

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Stomach ache

• Nausea

• Vomit

The incubation period of herpangina is two to six days. The visible symptoms of Herbangina are limited to the oral mucosa and the palatine arch; occasionally the tonsils are also affected. The disease initially manifests itself in the form of rapidly increasing fever (up to 40°C) and small blisters on the soft palate, which are around two to three millimeters in size and have a red border.

Furthermore, painful swallowing problems occur, which can lead to loss of appetite. Those affected also complain of exhaustion, headaches and abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. A herpangina usually heals within a week without complications; Areas in the mouth affected by blisters healed after two weeks.

Diagnosis

In most cases, the diagnosis of herpangina is made with the help of the typical symptoms. In rare cases, the pathogens are detected in the stool or water that was previously used in a throat rinse. The same applies to the detection of antibodies against type A Coxsackie viruses in the blood.

Since a Sore Throat can also be an expression of other diseases, it is necessary to consult a doctor if herpangina is suspected. Other infections that affect the mucous membranes and tonsils must also be ruled out by a doctor.

Complications

In most cases, herpangina in babies and children does not lead to any special complications or other symptoms. In most cases, it also heals on its own, so that special treatment is not necessary. Those affected suffer from fever and difficulty swallowing. Hoarseness and exhaustion can also occur and have a negative effect on the patient’s everyday life .

Furthermore, herpangina causes swelling of the mucous membrane in the mouth and throat in babies and children, which can make it difficult to take in liquids and food. The usual signs and symptoms of influenza also appear, making patients feel unwell and tired.

Pain in the extremities is also not uncommon in babies and children due to herpangina. In most cases, the disease can be curbed relatively well by bed rest. Only in severe cases is it necessary to take medication to limit the disease. As a rule, complications do not occur and the course of the disease is usually positive. The patient’s life expectancy is not affected or reduced by herpangina in babies and children.

treatment and therapy

Therapy for herpangina is limited to treating the symptoms that occur. Medicines or calf compresses are often recommended to reduce fever and physical rest. Difficulty swallowing and sore throat can be relieved by gargling with slightly warmed solutions and pain-relieving lozenges. Mouthwashes that promote wound healing can promote the healing of the blisters.

In the case of a severely pronounced herpangina, a bacterial infection can occur in the course of the disease; to prevent this, the use of antibacterial oral solutions is possible.Difficulty swallowing and the associated loss of appetite can ensure that the baby’s or toddler’s fluid intake is reduced; For this reason, particular attention must be paid to drinking enough water. Difficulty swallowing can also be improved by being given liquid or soft food, since eating it causes less pain than solid food.

Prevention

Herpangina can be prevented by avoiding contact with sick babies and small children. Since the pathogens are transmitted by droplet and smear infections, hygienic measures can minimize the risk of infection. There is no vaccination against Coxsackie A virus.