Herpangina
Herpangina is an acute enteroviral infection caused by coxsackie A virus. It is common in infants under 2 years of age.
This infection is commonly happening during the warm months and is usually transmitted through fecal-oral route and also through the nasopharyngeal discharges.
Clinically, what we see in infants with herpangina are: high grade fever with drooling of saliva, restlessness and decreased oral intake.
Because of the high grade fever, some will have convulsions which is one of the reasons these infants are admitted in the hospitals.
The oral lesions may start as pinpoint vesicles which burst and ulcerate. The tiny ulcers may heal in 3 to 5 days.
What is distinctive among infants with herpangina is the drooling of the saliva since they will feel pain upon swallowing and because of this pain, their milk intake especially with warm or hot milk and foods, are decreased.
The prognosis of herpangina is good. Ulcerations heal fast without complications. Its treatment is symptomatic meaning for the fever, antipyretics are given.
Mothers are advised to give soft foods and cold drinks to infants with this infection. When the tiny ulcerations show any signs of secondary infection, then antibiotics may be prescribed.
Oral hygiene is also highly recommended.