Contents
Common viral illness primarily affecting children below 5 yr.
Aetiology
Causative organisms:
Viruses of genus Enterovirus belonging to family Picornaviridae
- Coxsackievirus A16
- Enterovirus 71
- Less common: Polio virus, ECHO virus
- Transmission: Direct contact or infected fomites
Clinical features
Prodrome
- Low-grade fever
- Feeling of being unwell
- Sore throat
Disease
- Ulcers or blisters in the oral cavity
- Mostly on the posterior aspect
- Papulovesicular skin rash
- Palms and soles and less commonly, on buttocks, knees, elbows and genital area
- Illness resolves quickly over 4-5 days
Complications
- Temporary loss of toe/fingernails
- 4 weeks after onset of disease
- Rare:
- Aseptic meningitis
- Encephalitis
- Polio-like paralysis
- Myocarditis
- Respiratory distress syndrome
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is clinical
Differential diagnosis:
Other illnesses causing oral ulcers:
- Herpangina
- Herpetic gingivostomatitis
- Aphthous ulcers
- Chickenpox
Management
Symptomatic treatment
- Analgesics
- Soft diet
Prevention:
No vaccine is available against this disease
- Isolation of affected children at home
- Hand hygiene