Herpetic angina is an acute infectious disease that belongs to the enterovirus group. Children are most susceptible to the disease 10-12 years. However, cases of herpetic sore throat are also common in adults, especially against the background of weakened immunity.
Causes of herpetic sore throat
Herpetic angina is caused by the viruses Coxsackie A, Coxsackie V-Z and viruses ECHO, which are common in the environment everywhere. The disease is transmitted by airborne and fecal-oral (alimentary) routes from a sick person or source of infection. Most often the disease is diagnosed in the autumn-summer period. Infection can cause outbreaks of epidemics.
Symptoms of herpetic sore throat
The incubation period is from 2 to 10 days (usually 3 to 4 days). The disease always begins sharply and vigorously, and its following manifestations are observed:
- increase in body temperature (sometimes up to 40 - 41 ° C);
- chills;
- headache;
- changes in the mucous membrane of the oropharynx;
- pain when swallowing.
At the beginning of the disease, the mucous membrane of the pharynx looks red, inflamed, on the arches and palatine tonsils appear accumulations of small white vesicles surrounded by a red halo. Gradually, these bubbles merge, forming white spots, which are then expressed, covered with a grayish coating. Herpetic eruptions can also be observed on the mucous membranes of the cheeks, lips, skin of the face.
In some cases, the disease is accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle pain, nasal congestion.
Fever lasts from 2 to 5 days, then the body temperature drops sharply. Pain syndrome in the throat can be both pronounced and practically absent. By the 7th day of the disease, in most cases changes in the oropharynx disappear.
Diagnosis of herpetic sore throat
In view of the fact that many viral diseases of the oropharynx have similar clinical manifestations, it is quite difficult to diagnose herpetic tonsillitis. To confirm the diagnosis, virologic and serological tests are prescribed. Namely, the analysis of blood serum for the presence of antibodies to the pathogens of the disease, as well as the study of the contents of the vesicles on the pharyngeal mucosa.
Complications of herpetic sore throat
Pathogens of the disease, getting into the blood, can quickly spread throughout the body, causing a number of serious complications:
- meningitis;
- myocarditis ;
- encephalitis and others.
Therefore, at the first signs of herpetic sore throat should not hesitate to consult a doctor and begin treatment activities.
Than to treat a herpetic sore throat?
Treatment of uncomplicated herpetic sore throat is performed on an outpatient basis. Recommended compliance with bed rest, plenty of drink, consumption of semi-liquid, mashed food.
Drug therapy may include the administration of the following systemic drugs:
- antipyretics (paracetamol, ibuprofen);
- antihistamines (desloratadine, claritin, suprastin);
- antibiotics of a wide spectrum of action - at connection of a secondary bacterial flora.
Local effects on ulcerative foci are important. For this, antiseptics, keratoplastic, anesthetics, proteolytic enzymes are used. Basically, these are drugs in the form of solutions and aerosols, but also absorbing tablets. High efficacy in the treatment of herpetic tonsillitis are drugs such as Hexoral, Oracet, Ingalipt, Cameton, Pharyngosept, Sebidine, Chlorhexidine .
It should be noted that the appointment of such a drug, as Acyclovir, with herpetic angina is inexpedient. This is due to the fact that this drug is inactive to the causative agents of this disease.