The difference between herpangina and hand, foot and mouth disease. Is herpangina hand, foot and mouth disease?

Herpetic pharyngitis is an acute infectious pharyngitis caused by enterovirus, which is mainly manifested by acute fever and herpes in the pharyngeal isthmus. This disease is highly contagious and parents often mistake it for hand, foot and mouth disease because this type of disease has symptoms of fever, headache and loss of appetite. So, what is the difference between herpetic pharyngitis and hand, foot and mouth disease?

1. Different types of viruses cause infection

Although the viruses that cause herpangina and hand, foot and mouth disease are both enteroviruses and these viruses have many similarities, the viruses that can cause herpangina do not necessarily cause hand, foot and mouth disease. Similarly, the viruses that cause hand, foot and mouth disease do not necessarily cause herpangina.

2. Different locations of herpes

In children with herpangina, herpes and ulcers mainly appear in the pharyngeal isthmus of the mouth.

Children with hand, foot and mouth disease may develop blisters or papules on the lips, oral mucosa, perioral area, hands, feet, buttocks, and even the entire body.

Some cases of hand, foot and mouth disease may indeed only present as herpetic pharyngitis, without any rash from beginning to end. From this perspective, herpetic pharyngitis can also be regarded as a special type of hand, foot and mouth disease.

3. Different severity of illness

Herpangina generally has a good prognosis and rarely becomes a serious condition, while hand, foot and mouth disease has a certain chance of becoming a serious condition.

Although herpetic pharyngitis may be complicated by bacterial infection, complications such as encephalitis generally do not occur, and severe cases are rare.

Children with severe hand, foot and mouth disease may develop complications such as myocarditis, pulmonary edema, and encephalitis. Some children with severe hand, foot and mouth disease may die if the disease progresses rapidly.

4. Tips

Whether it is herpetic pharyngitis or hand, foot and mouth disease, if the mother finds that the baby has symptoms such as crying for no reason, drooling, loss of appetite, herpes, fever, etc., she should be vigilant and not treat the disease as a cold and delay treatment. She should go to the hospital in time. Early detection and early treatment will help the baby's recovery. Both are highly contagious and should be isolated when they are sick.