Herpangina is a throat infection caused by a specific group of viruses known as enteroviruses, most commonly by coxsackieviruses—a group of viruses that can cause a range of diseases, including hand, foot, and mouth disease , meningitis (inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord and pneumonia .
The viruses are usually spread by infected droplets coughed or sneezed into the air, and the viruses can survive on surfaces for several days. Herpangina is most common in young children but can affect people of any age.
Symptoms of herpangina do not typically appear until 2–7 days after infection, when there is a sudden onset of fever, sore throat, and sometimes also headache, abdominal discomfort, and muscle pain. Small blisters appear in the throat; they enlarge and then burst, forming ulcers.
The infection usually clears up within about a week without specific treatment, although symptoms of the infection may be relieved with medication.