Question
What should be done when a child develops herpangina in the oral and throat area?
Answer
Herpangina is an acute fever and herpangina ulcer disease caused by enterovirus, characterized by self-limiting properties. It primarily affects children aged 1 to 7 and has a course of 4 to 6 days, with severe cases potentially lasting up to 2 weeks. Treatment generally involves a combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, as this approach tends to be more effective. Treatment is not complicated, as there is no specific antiviral medication available. Antibacterial drugs are also ineffective against the virus. Treatment primarily focuses on oral Chinese medicine, antiviral therapy, and symptomatic relief. Acyclovir and ribavirin can be used as Western medicine for antiviral purposes. In traditional Chinese medicine, herpangina is classified as damp-heat pharyngitis, often resulting from external damp-heat invasion and ascending to the throat. Common treatments include expelling toxins and clearing the throat, as well as various herbal mixtures such as Xiangru Decoction, Jiangjiang Baojun Dan, Yinyao Mahou San, heat-reducing blends, Shuanghuanglian, Daqingye, and Banlangen. For those with myocardial damage, appropriate bed rest and heart protective medication should be considered.