The key difference between HFMD and herpangina is that HFMD is a medical condition that causes sores to form on the hands, feet, and inside of the mouth, while herpangina is a medical condition that causes sores to form only in the mouth and throat.
HFMD (hand, foot, and mouth disease) and herpangina are two medical conditions caused by the Coxsackie A virus. Both these diseases are characterized by the formation of sores in different parts of the body. Both these conditions are very contagious and generally spread frequently in daycare centers and schools among children.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is HFMD
3. What is Herpangina
4. Similarities – HFMD and Herpangina
5. HFMD vs. Herpangina in Tabular Form
6. Summary – HFMD vs. Herpangina
What is HFMD?
HFMD, or hand-foot-and-mouth disease, is a contagious viral infection caused by the coxsackie A virus (coxsackie A16 strain in the United States). It is more common in young children. The common symptoms of this condition are fever, sore throat, feeling sickness, painful blisters on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks, a rash on the palms, soles, and buttocks, a rash that is not itchy, a red, white, or gray rash or a rash only show as tiny bumps, fussiness in infants and toddlers, and loss of appetite. The virus spreads from person to person by contact with an infected person’s nose secretions or throat discharge, saliva, fluid blisters, stool, and respiratory droplets. The risk factors for HFMD include children younger than ages 5 to 7 years and children in childcare settings. Moreover, HFMD can also lead to complications such as viral meningitis and encephalitis.
Figure 01: HFMD
HFMD can be diagnosed through physical examination and swab or stool specimen test. Furthermore, treatment options for HFMD may include a topical oral anesthetic to relieve the pain of mouth sores, over-the-counter pain medications like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen, antiviral medications, and self-care.
What is Herpangina?
Herpangina is most often caused by Coxsackie group A viruses. It is most often seen in children aged 3 to 10. Herpangina causes sores in the mouth and throat. The typical symptoms of herpangina may include fever, headaches, loss of appetite, sore throat, and sores or blisters in the mouth and throat. Other than coxsackievirus A, this disease can also be caused by coxsackievirus B, echovirus, and enterovirus 71. The causative agent of herpangina easily transmits through close contact with someone who has the virus, respiratory droplets, and direct contact with bodily fluids or fecal matter. Moreover, HFMD can lead to complications such as brain stem encephalitis, acute flaccid paralysis, aseptic meningitis, and myocarditis.
Figure 02: Herpangina
Herpangina can be diagnosed through questionnaires, medical history, physical examination, and viral culture. Furthermore, treatment options for herpangina are acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever, antiviral medications, drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, avoiding foods or beverages that irritate sores in the mouth or throat, taking topical oral anesthetics for sores in the mouth and throat, and rinsing the mouth out after meals with salt water.
What are the Similarities Between HFMD and Herpangina?
- The Coxsackie A virus mainly causes both HFMD and herpangina.
- Both these diseases are characterized by the formation of sores in different parts of the body.
- They are very contagious and generally spread frequently in daycare centers and schools among children.
- Both these diseases can be diagnosed through physical examination and laboratory testing.
- They are mainly treated through specific medications and self-care.
What is the Difference Between HFMD and Herpangina?
HFMD causes sores to form in the hands, feet, and inside of the mouth, while herpangina causes sores to form only in the mouth and throat. Thus, this is the key difference between HFMD and herpangina. Furthermore, HFMD is more common in children younger than ages 5 to 7 years. On the other hand, herpangina is more common in children aged 3 to 10.
The infographic below presents the differences between HFMD and herpangina in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – HFMD vs. Herpangina
Coxsackieviruses are a part of the enterovirus family of viruses that normally live in the digestive tract of humans. They usually spread from person to person through unwashed hands and surfaces that have contaminated feces. HFMD and herpangina are two medical conditions caused by the coxsackie A virus and characterized by sore formation. However, herpangina can also be caused by coxsackievirus B, echovirus, and enterovirus 71, as well. Moreover, HFMD causes sores to form on the hands, feet, and inside of the mouth, while herpangina causes sores to form only in the mouth and throat. So, this summarizes the difference between HFMD and herpangina.
Reference:
1. “Herpangina: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.” WebMD.
2. “Hand-foot-and-mouth disease.” NHS Choices.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Herpangina2016” By James Heilman, MD – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Hand-foot-and-mouth-disease-Aatmeya” By Rajeshodayanchal – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia