As the peak season for herpetic pharyngitis in children approaches, preventive care is essential!

Herpangina is a special type of acute upper respiratory tract infection and is a common disease in children. The disease is common in summer and autumn (currently the peak season), is highly contagious and spreads quickly. So how to prevent herpetic pharyngitis in children?

What is herpetic pharyngitis in children and what are its symptoms?

Herpangina in children is a special type of upper respiratory tract infection caused by Coxsackie group A virus. It often occurs in summer and autumn. The onset is acute, and the clinical manifestations include high fever, sore throat, drooling, anorexia, vomiting, etc.

Physical examination may reveal congestion in the pharynx. Several to dozens of grayish-white blisters measuring 2 to 4 mm in size may be seen on the mucosa of the pharyngeal palate arch, soft palate, and uvula, surrounded by a red halo. They will break down after 1 to 2 days to form small ulcers. Herpes may also occur in other parts of the oral cavity. The course of the disease is about 1 week.

Is herpetic pharyngitis in children contagious?

Herpangina is a self-limiting disease with fecal-oral or respiratory transmission as the main route. It is highly infectious but not a communicable disease.

Summer and autumn are the peak seasons for herpangina. At this time, the temperature is high, there is a lot of rain, and the air circulation is poor, which can easily lead to rapid multiplication of bacteria and viruses, entering the respiratory tract and causing disease. Herpangina mainly affects children aged 1-7 years old, with an incubation period of 2-4 days. Systemic symptoms usually heal on their own after 4-6 days.

How to prevent herpetic pharyngitis in children?

In normal times, children should develop the good habit of washing their hands frequently, go to public places less often, ventilate the room more often, and do not use antibiotics at will.

Since the initial symptoms of herpangina are not much different from those of the common cold, it is easy to be mistaken for a cold and delay treatment.

When a child shows symptoms of discomfort, parents should take him or her to a regular hospital for diagnosis and take the correct methods for symptomatic treatment.

How to prevent herpetic pharyngitis in children?

Although both are enterovirus infections with similar onset and transmission routes, hand, foot and mouth disease has typical miliary maculopapular rashes scattered on the palms, soles and perianal area.