Herpangina – good to know

Good to know

Yellow deposits on the tonsils indicate an additional bacterial infection. Then, see the doctor again, as they may need to prescribe antibiotics . If symptoms such as a severe headache, stiff neck, and drowsiness develop, this indicates that the pathogen is spreading, and the doctor should consult immediately.

A confusing relationship

• The group of coxsackie, ECHO and enteroviruses is quite complicated, and their designation has been in constant flux in recent years (so even experts sometimes become unsure). They are often lumped together. They have one thing in common: they do not cause infectious diseases in one organ but instead, trigger numerous different symptoms in many parts of the body, and they are transmitted through dirt and smear infections (“faecal-oral”).
• In addition to herpangina and other infections of the throat, these viruses can cause infections of the gastrointestinal tract, muscle inflammation, summer flu, skin or eye infections. Coxsackie (B) viruses are also held responsible for type 1 diabetes.
• The harmless hand, mouth and foot disease, caused by the same subgroup as herpangina, is quite common, especially in children. It manifests as blisters on the hands, feet and in/on the mouth and possibly a slight fever. The general condition is not or hardly affected. Here, too, everything is over after two weeks at the latest. The therapeutic procedure is the same as for herpangina.