Research progress on the correlation between herpangina and hand-foot-mouth disease

As acute enterovirus-induced infections, herpangina(HA) and hand-foot-mouth disease(HFMD) are similar in many aspects. Although these diseases vary with time and region, many studies have shown that the viruses causing HA and HFMD are consistent, and there is no notable difference in partial VP1 gene sequences between different viruses. HA and HFMD also resemble each other in epidemiological features. Both infections show significant summertime seasonality, have a strong connection with certain environmental conditions and are most prevalent in young children and infants. Herpangina is thought to be a mild disease, defined as vesicular enanthem and then ulcers of the fauces and soft palate with presentation of fever, sore throat, and decreased appetite. HFMD, which could lead to severe symptoms, is also characterized by oral ulcers, although they are chiefly on the buccal mucosa and tongue, and typical vesicular rashes, which are most commonly found on the hands, feet, knees and buttocks. While HA is generally believed to be self-limited and has a favorable prognosis, HA with certain clinical characteristics, such as diarrhea, vomiting, limb jitter and sleepiness, can evolve into HFMD, according to some literature in recent years. However, HA is an independent risk factor for HFMD, and severe cases only present with herpes appearing at the isthmus of the fauces at an early stage, which indicates a strong correlation between them. Clinical manifestations of HA should be considered by medical staff to identify potential children with HFMD as early as possible to prevent its further development or transformation.