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Peak time for kids’ mouth infection

2014-06-17 10:33 Shanghai Daily Web Editor: Wang Fan
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A painful mouth infection characterized by blisters, fever and a sore throat that mostly affects children is reaching its peak season in Shanghai.

Doctors are advising parents to be on the lookout for highly infectious bug herpangina, usually found in children under 3.

However, it normally runs its course within a week, said medics.

Caused by a similar type of virus as hand, foot and mouth disease, herpangina is typically transmitted through fecal matter or respiratory droplets.

Summer is the peak time for the infection and doctors from the Shanghai Children's Hospital said every day they are seeing dozens of children with symptoms typical of herpangina.

As well as mouth ulcers, a high temperature and a sore throat, these can include a headache, loss of appetite and neck pain.

Dr Yu Hui, director of the infectious disease department of Fudan University Children's Hospital, said she has been seeing about 10 children a day with herpangina, but advised parents not to be over-concerned.

Avoiding crowded public places and keeping good personal hygiene help protect children from the infection.

There are no detailed figures for the city's number of herpangina cases.

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