From the Research
Children with herpangina should stay home from school until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication and feel well enough to participate in activities. Parents should notify the school about the diagnosis to help prevent spread. While at home, children need rest, adequate hydration with cool liquids, and soft foods that don't irritate mouth sores. Pain can be managed with acetaminophen or ibuprofen at age-appropriate doses. Schools should implement preventive measures including frequent handwashing, avoiding sharing utensils or drinks, regular disinfection of surfaces, and teaching proper cough/sneeze etiquette. Herpangina is a viral infection caused primarily by coxsackieviruses that creates painful mouth sores and is highly contagious through respiratory droplets and fecal-oral routes. Though uncomfortable, it typically resolves within 7-10 days without specific antiviral treatment. Children can return to school when symptoms improve significantly and they no longer risk transmitting the virus to classmates.
Key Considerations
- Herpangina is highly contagious, and preventive measures are crucial to prevent spread in schools 1.
- The infection is usually self-limiting, and symptoms resolve within 7-10 days without specific antiviral treatment 2.
- Caregivers can be potential infection sources, and their hygiene habits play a significant role in preventing the spread of herpangina 1.
- Enteroviruses, particularly coxsackieviruses, are the primary cause of herpangina, and developing a multivalent vaccine could help control the epidemic 3.
Prevention and Management
- Frequent handwashing and proper cough/sneeze etiquette are essential in preventing the spread of herpangina 1.
- Avoiding sharing utensils or drinks and regular disinfection of surfaces can also help prevent the spread of the infection 1.
- Children with herpangina should be managed symptomatically, with rest, adequate hydration, and soft foods that don't irritate mouth sores 4.
- Pain can be managed with acetaminophen or ibuprofen at age-appropriate doses 4.