What virus causes herpangina?

The virus that causes herpangina is Coxsackievirus A. This virus is part of the enterovirus family and is commonly associated with outbreaks of herpangina, especially in children. Herpangina typically presents with symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and painful ulcers in the back of the mouth and throat. Coxsackievirus A specifically targets the throat area and is known to lead to the distinctive lesions that characterize this condition.

Understanding this helps clarify the relationship between certain viruses and the illnesses they cause. For example, while Herpes simplex virus is known for causing cold sores and genital herpes, it does not cause herpangina. Varicella zoster virus is responsible for chickenpox and shingles, focusing more on skin rashes than oral lesions. Human papillomavirus is primarily associated with warts and certain cancers, not with infections characterized by oral ulcers like herpangina. This highlights the specificity of Coxsackievirus A in relation to herpangina.