Understanding Herpangina: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Herpangina, also called Zahorsky’s disease, primarily affects children. Your child or baby has a fever and blisters in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, but no bad breath? Is he nauseous and has a stomach ache? This harmless virus infection affects children and babies, especially in summer and autumn. The disease is well described by its name, herpangina: 2-3 mm-sized blisters that look like cold sores but are located in the back of the throat, causing pain and difficulty swallowing like tonsillitis (angina tonsillitis).

Causes: how does herpangina develop?

The pathogens are Coxsackie A viruses, transmitted via drinking water and contaminated food. First, they multiply in the throat and gastrointestinal tract, leading to corresponding symptoms. Very rarely, they reach other organs via the bloodstream and cause symptoms there. Inflammation of the meninges or brain is particularly dangerous.

What are the symptoms of the infection?

The symptoms begin about two to six days after infection, with a high fever and usually a severely impaired general condition. There is a velvety feeling in the back of the throat caused by the inflammation. The small blisters burst for a short time and disintegrate into painful ulcers. In addition to the swallowing difficulties, nausea and abdominal pain also occur. After a week or two at the latest, everything is usually over.

Therapy: what can you do?

The doctor will almost always be able to make the suspected diagnosis based on typical symptoms. There is no causal therapy for herpangina (Zahorsky’s disease). However, the symptoms can be alleviated with a few measures:

• Avoid acidic and spicy foods.
• Sufficient fluid intake is essential despite the symptoms – milk or drinking yoghurt, mild broth, soup, or porridge are suitable, but not juices (because of the fruit acid).
• Gargling with lukewarm sage, chamomile or mallow tea three times a day (2 teaspoons of leaves or blossoms in 250 ml of water, leave to steep for 5-10 minutes) helps against pain and inflammation. An alternative is a mouthwash with essential oils.
• Honey reduces pain and reduces inflammation.
• If the pain is more severe, the doctor may prescribe medication to numb the oral mucosa locally; Pain relievers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can also help.