Herpangina | Symptoms & Causes
What are the symptoms of herpangina?
The following are the most common symptoms of herpangina. However, each child may experience symptoms differently.
- blister-like bumps in the mouth, usually in the back of the throat and on the roof of the mouth
- headache
- quick onset of fever
- high fever, sometimes up to 106F
- pain in the mouth or throat
- drooling
- decrease in appetite
What causes herpangina?
Herpangina is caused by a virus. The most common viruses that cause herpangina are:
- coxsackie virus
- echovirus
Herpangina | Diagnosis & Treatments
How do we diagnose herpangina?
Herpangina is usually diagnosed based on a complete history and physical examination of your child. The lesions of herpangina are unique and usually allow for a diagnosis simply on physical examination.
How do we treat herpangina?
The goal of treatment for herpangina is to help decrease the severity of the symptoms. Since it's a viral infection, antibiotics are ineffective. Treatment for your child may include:
- increased fluid intake
- acetaminophen for any fever
