Q: Which doctor should you consult if your child has Herpangina?
A: Consult your child’s pediatrician if you suspect your child has herpangina.
Q: Is herpangina contagious?
A: Yes. Herpangina is caused by a group of viruses that are highly contagious and can spread from person to person. Herpangina is contagious during the active stage of the infection.
Q: Is herpangina and hand-foot-and-mouth (HFM) disease the same?
A: Herpangina and hand-foot-and-mouth disease are caused by the virus from the same family. Both cause oral blisters and ulcers, but the location of the oral blisters differs.
Herpangina lesions occur at the back of the mouth, whereas HFM occurs at the front of the mouth.
Q: Does my child get immune to herpangina if he/she suffered from it?
A: Herpangina can be caused by 22 different serotypes of enteroviruses. The child could get herpangina due to the different virus serotype later.
Q: How long does the problem last and when should I seek further advice?
A: The ulcers in the mouth usually heal in 5-10 days. Consult for further advice if the child has an uncontrollable fever, if the symptoms do not subside in a week or if the child seems dehydrated.
