What Are the Symptoms of Pediatric Herpes?

The physical development of children is not yet complete, and therefore they may sometimes experience low immunity. As a result, the incidence of herpes is relatively high in the pediatric population. Herpes is a skin disease caused by the herpes virus. When children develop this condition, they may experience a variety of symptoms. If parents are unaware of these symptoms, they may mistakenly attribute them to other causes such as the common cold. So, what are the symptoms of herpes in children? Let's take a closer look at this topic.

First, what are the symptoms of herpes in children? The onset is usually acute, with symptoms including high fever, sore throat, irritability, drooling, anorexia, vomiting, general discomfort, difficulty swallowing, mental lethargy, and convulsions. If the condition occurs independently, it often does not present with systemic symptoms. Infants and young children may often cry and refuse to eat during feeding.

Second, physical examination may reveal pharyngeal congestion, with the presence of several to dozens of grayish-white herpes lesions ranging from 2 to 4 mm in size on the mucosa of the pharyngeal arch, soft palate, and uvula. These lesions are surrounded by erythema and may ulcerate to form small ulcers covered with a yellowish or white pseudomembrane after 1 to 2 days. Herpes can also occur in other parts of the mouth, and may be accompanied by enlarged and tender submaxillary lymph nodes. The duration of the illness is approximately one week.

Third, there are various causes of herpes in children. One cause can be poor hygiene habits, such as using unclean diapers, which can contribute to the development of the disease. Additionally, infants may contract the herpes virus through bacterial infections, traumatic infections, or skin lesions caused by various physical, chemical, or biological factors. It is important to maintain a certain degree of dryness on the child's skin to prevent the development of herpes. If a child develops herpes, parents should ensure that the child receives regular baths using warm water. Adding some baby lotion or floral water to the bath water and drying the child's skin with a towel after bathing can help effectively relieve the symptoms of herpes.