Hot search! How to protect babies during the high incidence season of herpetic pharyngitis?

□ Science Times reporter Shi Qi

Recently, the topic "Herpetic pharyngitis high season" has become a hot search on Weibo. There are reports that children in many places are sick, resulting in an increase in the number of visits to the doctor. What are the symptoms of herpetic pharyngitis? How to care for children with herpetic pharyngitis?

Fever, herpes, and sore throat symptoms are obvious

Herpangina is an acute infectious disease in which herpes appears on the pharyngeal mucosa. This disease, like hand, foot and mouth disease, is an enterovirus infection that occurs throughout the year, but is more common in summer and autumn. Herpangina is more common in preschool children under 6 years old, and adults with low immunity can also be infected. It is highly contagious and can easily cause clustered outbreaks in kindergartens and preschool classes.

Quan Meiying, attending physician of the Pediatric Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, said that the main symptoms of herpetic pharyngitis are three aspects. First, the child has a sudden high fever, which can reach above 40℃, accompanied by convulsions, and the fever lasts for 2-4 days. Second, the initial onset of herpes in the pharyngeal isthmus is congestion of the pharynx, followed by scattered gray-white herpes on the mucosa of the pharyngeal isthmus, with a red halo around the herpes, which ruptures after 1-2 days to form ulcers with redness and swelling. The herpes subsides in about 5-6 days. Third, the pharyngeal pain is obvious, and the child may drool, cry, and lose appetite due to the pain in the pharyngeal isthmus.

There is no specific antiviral drug yet

Experts say that herpetic pharyngitis is a self-limiting disease, and there is currently no specific antiviral drug. During the illness, in addition to taking medication on time as prescribed by the doctor, parents should keep their children isolated at home for 2 weeks and pay more attention to rest. During this period, pay attention to keeping the room ventilated, disinfect the items that children often touch, and keep their hands clean. After the child eats, parents can help him rinse his mouth, and the diet should be light and easily digestible, and avoid eating spicy and irritating foods.

Quan Meiying reminds parents to pay attention to monitoring. When the child has a fever, pay attention to monitoring his body temperature. If there are abnormalities such as persistent high fever, poor mental state, limb tremors, and rapid breathing, seek medical attention in time.

Cutting off the virus transmission route is the key to prevention

Quan Meiying introduced that the key to preventing herpetic pharyngitis is to cut off the transmission route of the virus and improve human immunity. For example, parents and children should wash their hands frequently and pay attention to hygiene and cleanliness; when at home, people should open windows frequently to ventilate and keep the indoor air fresh; adequate sleep and proper exercise can also improve immunity.

In addition, children's toys and tableware should also be disinfected regularly. Parents can choose to use boiling water to disinfect tableware, cups and other utensils; use chlorine-containing disinfectant to soak or wipe and disinfect toys, countertops, floors and other frequently touched places; change and dry clothes frequently, and use ultraviolet rays to kill viruses.