Many women and men in adulthood have suffered an episode of herpangina. However, some people do not know this term. It is given the name herpangina due to vesicle-like lesions in the region of the tonsils.
This is a disorder that is very common in children but also occurs in adults. It is a pathology of viral origin that does not distinguish between race or sex, and everyone can suffer at some point in their lives.
To the extent that the immune system weakens due to stress, poor eating habits, or the presence of degenerative diseases, the risk of suffering from viral infections such as herpangina increases. That is why at FastlyHealwe invite you to read the following article in which you will learn about herpangina in adults: causes, symptoms, contagion, and treatment.
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Herpangina in adults: causes
It is a viral disease widespread throughout most of the world, although it is frequently found in tropical areas. It is caused by a virus called Coxsackie, mainly group A. This virus is the one that gives rise to a highly contagious disease of limited duration, which usually lasts between 1 and 2 weeks approximately.
This disease is characterized by ulcers and sores inside the oral cavity, but if you want to know how it manifests, we will explain what the symptoms of herpangina are. In the following FastlyHealarticle, we give you more information about the Coxsackie virus infection.
Herpangina symptoms
The most characteristic symptoms of herpangina are the following:
- Sudden onset fever.
- Loss of appetite
- Throat pain.
- Headache.
- Cervical pain.
- Swelling of the lymph nodes, specifically in the head and neck.
- Presence of papules and vesicles on the soft palate, uvula, tonsil, and tongue and the palms of the hands, and the soles of the feet.
- Stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea.
How is herpangina spread
It is a highly contagious disease, with the man being the reservoir. This virus is transmitted by direct contact through throat secretions and feces of infected people. There is no known evidence that food and water can transmit the disease. This disease is widespread throughout the world.
The latter has an incubation period of approximately 3-5 days. Transmission of the virus can occur during the critical part of the disease; Despite this, the virus can be shed in the stool for much longer. The condition provides the sufferer with lasting immunity. That is why many adults are carriers of the virus, although in many cases, it goes unnoticed.
Transmission in people can be due to intra-family contamination through contact with the secretions or feces of contaminated people.
Herpangina and pregnancy
The women during pregnancy may be contaminated with the virus Herpangina, which can bring an impact on the baby. Some of the complications of herpangina infection during pregnancy for the health of the baby are:
- Small for her gestational age.
- Low birth weight
- Risk of premature delivery.
It is essential to remember that if the child’s mother suffered from the disease before pregnancy, this child would enjoy the immunity naturally received through its mother. This immunity lasts for a few months. If this little one comes into contact with active carriers of the virus, it can be infected.
Herpangina Treatment
It is essential to have a precise diagnosis before starting treatment. This is based on the symptoms that the patient presents. The treatment indicated by the doctors is symptomatic. That is, according to the signs that the patient presents, specific care should be taken, such as:
- Maintain oral hygiene with creams or mouthwashes with solutions that have an anti-inflammatory effect.
- It is essential to hydrate and consume especially cold fluids to relieve a sore throat.
- Eating irritating foods such as citrus juices should be avoided due to lesions in the oropharynx.
At the pharmacological level, the treatment indicated by the doctor usually consists of:
- Topical anesthetics
- Take antipyretic in case of fever and analgesics and anti-inflammatories to relieve symptoms.
Prevention of herpangina infection
To avoid the spread and contamination of this virus, certain precautions and preventive measures must be followed, among which are:
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Maintain hygienic standards with the objects in touch.
- Handwashing with soap and water during and after the illness.
- In most cases, the lesions disappear on their own.
The important thing is to go to the doctor once the symptoms of this disease appear. He will be in charge of verifying through them whether or not it is the disease. It is the only one with the ability to make a precise diagnosis and indicate the treatment to follow.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Herpangina in adults: causes, symptoms, contagion, and treatment, we recommend entering our Immune system category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.