Beware of herpetic pharyngitis as the temperature rises in summer

As summer approaches, the temperature rises, the rainfall increases, and enteroviruses become active. Pediatric outpatient clinics in various hospitals have ushered in a "trend of medical visits". Upon closer inspection, it turns out that herpes is to blame. Today, the medical community invited pediatrician Professor Wang Hongliang to talk to parents about herpetic pharyngitis.

What is herpetic pharyngitis?

Herpangina is a special type of upper respiratory tract infection. The pathogen is Coxsackie A virus. It is prone to occur in summer and has an acute onset. Clinical manifestations include high fever, salivation, anorexia, vomiting, etc. Physical examination can reveal congestion in the pharynx, and several or even dozens of 2-4mm gray-white herpes can be seen on the mucosa of the pharyngeal palate arch, soft palate, uvula, and tongue surface, surrounded by red halos. They will break down to form small ulcers after 1-2 days. The course of the disease is about 1 week.

This year, herpetic pharyngitis is more prevalent than in previous years, with an acute onset and repeated high fever, with body temperature up to 38℃ to 40℃, and fever generally lasts for 2 to 6 days. High fever may cause convulsions, but parents should not panic, as febrile convulsions are usually short-lived and will naturally subside in 1 to 5 minutes. When convulsions occur, pay attention to tilting the child's head to one side, keep the airway open, avoid aspiration of food and secretions in the child's mouth, and do not use hard objects to pry the mouth open, and seek medical attention immediately.

Herpetic pharyngitis VS hand, foot and mouth disease

The two diseases are easy to confuse because some hand, foot and mouth disease patients will also develop pinpoint herpes in the mouth, followed by ulcers. However, the rash of herpetic pharyngitis is limited to the mouth, while children with hand, foot and mouth disease will also have rashes on their hands, feet, buttocks, etc. Except for some combined bacterial infections, herpetic pharyngitis basically does not have complications such as encephalitis, which means that there are almost no severe patients and life-threatening situations. A small number of children with severe hand, foot and mouth disease may have combined aseptic meningoencephalitis, encephalitis, myocarditis, etc.

Is herpetic pharyngitis contagious?

Herpangina is mainly transmitted through the feces, mouth or respiratory tract and is highly infectious. Summer is the peak season for herpangina, when the temperature is high, there is more rain and the air circulation is poor, which can easily lead to rapid reproduction of bacteria and viruses, which can enter the respiratory tract and cause the disease.

How to prevent herpetic pharyngitis?

1. Wash your hands frequently: maintain good hygiene habits to avoid diseases from the mouth;

2. Eat cooked food: Enteric viruses can be disinfected by ultraviolet light and high-temperature boiling;

3. Drink boiled water, dry clothes and quilts frequently, and keep indoor air circulating;

4. Avoid taking children to public places where there are crowds and poor air circulation;

5. Avoid contact with children with herpetic pharyngitis. If you already have herpes, you need to stay at home to avoid infecting other children.

How to care for herpetic pharyngitis?

1. General care: rest and keep the indoor air circulating.

2. Symptomatic care: Care for fever: Use a combination of medication and physical cooling, and pay attention to hydration.

3. Oral care: You can rinse your mouth with cold boiled water or light salt water. For small ulcers after the blisters in the mouth break, you can use appropriate drugs to protect the wound surface and promote ulcer healing.

4. Diet care: The child should be given nutritious food that is easily digestible. Eat more vegetables, no ice cream, no beverages, and eat as little fried or deep-fried greasy food as possible. Avoid irritating foods, such as sour, sweet, spicy, and salty foods. Do not eat overheated or overcooled foods to avoid irritating the ulcerated part of the mouth and causing pain. Children who can rinse their mouths can rinse their mouths with light salt water every day. Choose liquid foods, such as porridge, rice soup, noodles, etc.

5. Parents should note: Although herpetic pharyngitis is a mild disease, it may also be complicated by bacterial infection, and complications such as meningitis and myocarditis may also occur. If the child has a persistent high fever or an ulcer that does not heal, seek medical attention. If vomiting, headache, mental depression, convulsions, etc. occur, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

6. Although herpetic pharyngitis is not included in the management of infectious diseases, it is highly contagious and requires isolation for 2 weeks after becoming ill.