Viral Ulcerations of the Palate: A Case of Paediatric Herpangina with Literature Review
Deivanayagi M
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Adhiparasakthi Dental College and Hospital, Dr MGR Medical University, Melmaruvathur, Tamilnadu -603319, India.
Hariharan B
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Adhiparasakthi Dental College and Hospital, Dr MGR Medical University, Melmaruvathur, Tamilnadu -603319, India.
Narmadha Chandran *
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Adhiparasakthi Dental College and Hospital, Dr MGR Medical University, Melmaruvathur, Tamilnadu -603319, India.
Elamparithi B
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Adhiparasakthi Dental College and Hospital, Dr MGR Medical University, Melmaruvathur, Tamilnadu -603319, India.
Monisha R
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Adhiparasakthi Dental College and Hospital, Dr MGR Medical University, Melmaruvathur, Tamilnadu -603319, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Herpangina is a common viral illness in children, most often caused by Coxsackievirus and other enteroviruses, and is characterized by fever and vesicular or ulcerative lesions in the posterior oral cavity. We report a case of herpangina in a 7-year-old boy who presented with acute onset of fever, sore throat, and painful oral ulcers on the soft palate and tonsillar pillars. The diagnosis was made clinically, and supportive management with antipyretics (paracetamol syrup), topical antivirals (topical acyclovir), hydration, and dietary modification led to symptomatic improvement within a week and fully recovered in 4 weeks. This case highlights the importance of clinical recognition and symptomatic care in preventing complications.
Keywords: Herpangina, coxsackie virus, oral ulcer, anaesthetics