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Herpangina

JOYCE JOHNSON, FAAFP, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Highly infectious viral disease caused most commonly by viruses within the Picornavirus family. This most commonly includes coxsackievirus, other enteroviruses, echovirus and human r...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Fever of relatively sudden onset

  • General malaise, anorexia, irritability, listlessness

  • Sore throat, painful oral lesions, drooling, coryza

  • Neck pain, headache, back pain

  • Diarrhea

PHYSICAL EXAM

TREATMENT

  • Benign, self-limited course

  • Symptoms typically abate in less than a week.

  • Symptomatic treatment

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Frequent handwashing

  • Palliative and supportive care; emphasize hydration

MEDICATION

First Line

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • No restrictions

  • As tolerated, with no limitations

DIET

  • Clear liquids

  • Cold beverages, milk, and ice cream are soothing. Hot, acidic beverages can be irritating.

PROGNOSIS

REFERENCES

Corsino CB, Ali R, Linklater DR. 2023. Herpangina. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29939569 

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Jubelt B, Lipton HL. Enterovirus/picornavirus infections. Handb Clin Neurol. 2014;123:379-416. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-53488-0.00018-3. PMID: 25015496. ...

SEE ALSO

Herpes Simplex 

CODES

ICD10

B08.5 Enteroviral vesicular pharyngitis 

SNOMED

186659004 Herpangina 

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Herpangina occurs most commonly during summer months in children.

  • Coxsackievirus and other enterovirus are the most common causes of herpangina.

  • Proper hand hygiene protects against spre...

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