Herpangina

Herpangina: Herpes sore throat and its features

Herpangina, also known as herpangina, ulcerous tonsillitis, aphthous pharyngitis or vesicular pharyngitis, is an infectious disease that affects the throat and mouth. This condition is usually caused by feline herpes virus type 1 (HSV-1) or enteroviruses.

Herpangina most often occurs in children, especially those between 3 and 10 years of age, but can also occur in adults. The disease is transmitted through airborne droplets, contact with infected secretions or feces. The virus can also be transmitted through contaminated objects such as toys or cutlery.

The main symptoms of herpangina are:

1. Sore throat: The pain can be intense and make swallowing difficult. The throat may be hyperemic (reddened) and inflamed.

2. Vesicle formation: Small blisters (vesicles) may appear on the back of the throat, tonsils, soft palate and tongue, such as with cold sores on the lips. Vesicles can be painful and cause discomfort.

3. Increased body temperature: herpangina is usually accompanied by fever and general malaise.

4. Headache and abdominal pain: Some patients may experience headache and abdominal pain, which may be due to a viral infection.

In most cases, the symptoms of herpangina disappear on their own after 7-10 days without special treatment. However, the following measures can be taken to relieve symptoms and reduce discomfort:

1. Drinking plenty of fluids: This will help prevent dehydration and relieve a sore throat.

2. Eating soft and nutritious foods: Avoid spicy, sour or rough foods, which can irritate the vesicles.

3. Using painkillers: Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help reduce pain and fever.

4. Rest and rest: It is important to give the body time to fight infection and recover.

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. However, self-medication and the use of antibiotics are not recommended, since herpangina is caused by a virus and not a bacterial infection.

It is also important to take precautions to prevent the spread of herpangina. This includes washing your hands regularly, avoiding contact with infected people and shared objects, and practicing good hygiene, especially when preparing food.

Herpangina, although it causes some illness and discomfort, is usually not a serious illness and rarely leads to complications. Most patients recover completely within a few weeks of the onset of symptoms.

If symptoms of herpangina occur, it is recommended to consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment advice. A professional consultation will help establish an accurate diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan based on the patient's individual needs.

Currently, in medicine it is customary to distinguish three forms of herpetic sore throat - EBV sore throat, enterovirus infection and cytomegalovirus infection. Most often, the cause of sore throat cannot always be determined. The overwhelming majority of cases of herpangina are caused by viruses. But herpes pathogens do not cause a separate disease; they can manifest themselves in combination with other pathogenic microorganisms. Depending on the trigger mechanism, herpeptic infections can have different routes of transmission. Viral antigens can be detected in scrapings of affected tissues, their blood, mucous secretions and saliva. Thus, herpangina in children can often be determined by the presence of viral antigens in the clinical laboratory immediately after taking biomaterial for research. This allows the practitioner to judge the activity and