Herpetic angina: causes, duration, solutions

Herpetic angina corresponds to pharynx and tonsil infectioncaused by The Herpes Simplex virus. It does not require any particular treatment and spontaneously heals in less than ten days. What is herpetic angina? How does she get caught? How to relieve it?

What is herpetic angina?

Angina herpetic is an infection of the pharynx and the tonsils, caused by The Herpes Simplex virus. The affected areas are very red with white vesicles and small ulcers that can become canker sores. Very painful most often, there is No specific treatment For herpetic angina but with appropriate care, it heals spontaneously in 5 to 10 days.

Please note, it is important to differentiate herpetic angina from:

• L’Angina to adenovirus which, in addition to the pinkish red color of the pharynx, is accompanied by conjunctivitis.
• Lherpanginea vesicular erythemato angina due to an infection by the Coxsackie virus, is accompanied by a rash.
• HIV primo-infection. Herpetic angina must be differentiated from Primo-Infection by HIV which can also be accompanied by redness and edema of the pharynx, canker sores and an increase in the volume of the nodes with associated muscle pain.
• Pied-Mags syndrome- mouth Due to a coxakie virus which manifests itself in a vesicular stomatitis associated with a vesicular eruption of the side edges of the feet, and fingers.

What is the cause of herpetic angina?

Herpetic angina, as its name suggests, is due to the herpes virus (Herpes Simplex virus). It is part of the most common viral angins with herpangine.

Is herpetic angina contagious?

Whatever the type, vesicular angina is very contagious.

What are the symptoms of herpetic angina?

Angina herpetic Brutally starts with significant fever up to 40 ° C. The patient has hard to swallow Due to the pain felt, which can touch not only the throat but also the ears with sometimes dizziness. The throat and the tonsils are bright or pinkish red, with small vesicles or rounded reliefs. As the angina evolves, small ulcers (small loss of substance) appear covered with white spots with bright red edges. “Note that herpetic angina is often associated with herpes lesions in the lips, the oral cavity and/or nostrils. A gum condition is possible, especially in children. The neck nodes increase in volume and most often are painful” underlines Doctor Marie-Paule Morisseau-Durand, orl pediatrician at the Marcel clinic sees in Boulogne-Billancourt (92).

Herpetic angina in baby

Angina herpetic is most often the amygdal extension of a herpetic herpetic-stomatitis. It is most often due to the HSV1. “The primary herpetic infection is the first expression, Note Dr. Morisseau-Durand. It is observed in children from 6 months to 5 years old, in 50% of cases before the age of 2 years. It begins after a high fever, with bouquets of vesicles which are transformed into whitish painful erosions on the gums then in the oral cavity, the veil of the palace, the tonsils. The child drools a lot and refuses to eat. Sensitive nodes are palpable at the neck. ” The evolution is most often benign in 10 to 14 days. In infants, It is due to HSV2.

Herpetic angina in pregnant women

There is no passage of viruses during pregnancy to the fetus that does not risk anything. It is at the time of birth Only if the mother has a herpes push with visible vesicles on her genital ways that the newborn could be contaminated during her passage in the vagina by fluid contact with the eyes, the nose, the mouth or another part unprotected by healthy skin.

There is no specific treatment against herpetic angina. This affection heals spontaneously in a few days without leaving consequences. However, due to the importance of symptoms, treatment of pain and fever (analgesics against pain, antipyretics against fever type paracetamol In systematic taking every 6 hours) is necessary as well as a diet adapted to the difficulties of swallowing. In case of infection, the doctor may prescribe An antibiotic.

What are the risks of complications?

Locally there may be infection, which can require antibiotic therapy. General complications are rare but serious, especially in children: encephalic and eye complications are possible. “It is also absolutely necessary to avoid the contact between a child with dry skin weakened by an allergy and a child carrying a first herpetic infection. Indeed herpes can diffuse in the face and all the body”, warns the specialist. Finally herpes can become recurrent: the aspect is identical but more attenuated. He heals in 7 days.

What to eat in case of herpetic angina?

Angina herpetic is painful and can cause discomfort to swallow (“swallowing”) solid foods. It’s necessary favor a cold diet see ice, soft and not acidic for the duration of the infection. On the other hand, it is necessary Drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration.

Thank you to Doctor Marie-Paule Morisseau-Durand, an orl pediatrician at the Marcel clinic sends in Boulogne-Billancourt (Group Ramsay General of Health).