| Herpangina and hand, foot and mouth disease | 755.000000000000 | Herpangina and hand, foot and mouth disease | Herpangina and hand, foot and mouth disease | H | English | Infectious Diseases | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Mouth;Hand;Foot | Immune system | Conditions and diseases | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | Fever;Headache;Pain;Rash;Sore throat | | 2019-03-14T04:00:00Z | | | | | | 8.50000000000000 | 59.6000000000000 | 843.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>Herpangina and hand, foot and mouth disease are both illnesses that are caused by the Coxsackie virus. Herpangina causes ulcers at the back of the mouth. Hand, foot and mouth disease causes blisters on any combination of the hands, feet and the mouth.</p> | <h2>What are herpangina and hand, foot and mouth disease?</h2><p>Both herpangina and hand, foot and mouth disease are viral infections caused by the Coxsackie virus. In herpangina, small red ulcers appear at the back of the mouth. In hand, foot and mouth disease, the rash can also appear as small, red blisters or spots on the hands, feet, mouth, and possibly on the skin in other areas of the body. Both illnesses can cause
<a href="/Article?contentid=30&language=English">fever</a>, pain and may cause your child to refuse food and liquids.</p><p>The ulcers and spots in both illnesses will go away on their own within 10 days.</p> | | <h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Herpangina is a common, painful infection featuring ulcers at the back of the mouth in children.</li><li>Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common infection that causes small blisters on any combination of the hands, feet, inside or outside of the mouth.</li><li>Herpangina and hand, foot and mouth disease are caused by the Coxsackie virus. </li><li>The small red spots can last up to 10 days.</li><li>Treatment includes good pain control and making sure your child gets enough liquids to stay hydrated. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses.</li><li>Wash your hands and your child’s hands often to prevent spreading the disease.</li></ul> | | <h2>What are the signs and symptoms of herpangina and hand, foot and mouth disease?</h2><p>Both herpangina and hand, foot and mouth disease can start with fever, sore throat and generally not feeling well for several days before the small red spots appear. Children may not want to eat and may become very irritable. Older children may complain of
<a href="/Article?contentid=29&language=English">headache</a>, sore throat and lack of energy.</p> | | <h2>The virus spreads by touching or breathing</h2><p>Herpangina and hand, foot and mouth disease are most common in the summer and early fall, however they can occur year round. </p><p>A child with herpangina or hand, foot and mouth disease is most infectious during the first week of illness, but they can still spread the virus for several weeks after their symptoms have disappeared. It takes about three to six days after your child has been exposed to develop symptoms. During this time, a child can spread the virus without having any signs of being sick. The virus that causes herpangina and hand, foot and mouth disease is found in an infected person’s saliva and stool.</p><p>The virus spreads from person to person through sneezing or coughing. It can also survive on surfaces and objects, such as countertops and toys, long enough to spread to another person. Your child can also get infected if they touch the stool or fluid from the blisters of an infected person.</p><p>Many parents have questions about when their child can return to daycare after they have been sick with herpangina or hand, foot and mouth disease. It is important to keep your child away from daycare if they have a fever or are not well enough to participate in activities. Keeping children away from daycare does not prevent the spread of herpangina or hand, foot and mouth disease. Check with your child’s childcare centres about their policy about attendance when a child has herpangina or hand, foot and mouth disease. </p> | | | <h2>Complications of herpangina and hand, foot and mouth disease are mild</h2><p>The most common complication of herpangina or hand, foot and mouth disease is
<a href="/Article?contentid=776&language=English">dehydration</a>. Children may refuse to drink fluids due to the pain in their mouth. However, with care at home, most children can get enough liquids to stay hydrated.</p><p>Other complications are very rare.</p> | <h2>Taking care of your child at home</h2><p>Keep your child hydrated and as comfortable as possible while treating the symptoms of the illness. </p><p>Antibiotics do not work on viruses. They will not help to treat herpangina or hand, foot and mouth disease.</p><h3>Drink small amounts of fluids often</h3><p>Give your child fluids often and in small amounts to prevent dehydration. Cold foods and soft foods such as ice cream and apple sauce are soothing and will not irritate the sores. Citrus, soft drinks, and salty or spicy foods may cause more pain.</p><h3>Pain relief</h3><p>To control pain, give your child
<a href="/article?contentid=62&language=English">acetaminophen</a> or
<a href="/article?contentid=153&language=English">ibuprofen</a>. Pain relieving rectal suppositories can be given if your child cannot take the medication by mouth. Always follow the instructions on the label or speak with your child’s doctor.</p> | <h2>Preventing spread and future episodes of herpangina and hand, foot and mouth disease disease<br></h2><p>To prevent the spread of infection,
<a href="/Article?contentid=1981&language=English">wash your hands</a> and your child’s hands often. Be sure to do so:</p><ul><li>after wiping the child’s nose</li><li>after changing a diaper</li><li>after using the toilet</li><li>before preparing food</li></ul><p>There is no vaccine against Coxsackie virus.</p> | <h2>When to get medical assistance</h2><h3>Call your child’s regular doctor</h3><ul><li>The pain is not relieved with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. </li><li>The ulcers in the mouth last for more than 10 days.</li></ul><h3>Go to your nearest Emergency Department or call 911</h3><ul><li>Your child has chest pain, shortness of breath, feels their heart racing or seems overly tired.</li><li>Your child has a
headache,
<a href="/Article?contentid=746&language=English">vomiting</a>,
<a href="/Article?contentid=953&language=English">neck pain</a> or stiffness, or a change in behaviour.</li><li>Your child has not made any urine in more than eight hours and is very sleepy.</li></ul> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <img alt="" src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/herpangina_hand_foot_mouth.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/herpangina_hand_foot_mouth.jpg | herpangina | | | | | | | | False | | | |
