Herpangina and Avoiding the ER

Herpangina and Avoiding the ER

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A dad contacted me because his child’s mouth hurt so badly, he had stopped drinking.

He was understandably worried—and getting ready to head to the emergency room.

On examination, his son had herpangina, a viral illness that can cause very painful sores in the mouth and throat.

The immediate concern was dehydration. When every swallow hurts, telling a child to “just drink more” only gets you so far.

After evaluating him, I paused to think through our options.

I worked with the pharmacy on an individualized pain-relief plan using prescription topical lidocaine, with specific instructions for Dad.

This medicine requires care, especially in children. It isn’t something to try on your own.

We also discussed clear warning signs that would mean he needed emergency care.

Following treatment, the pain improved enough that he could start drinking again, and he remained at home.

That felt like a real win: a child more comfortable, a relieved parent, and no emergency visit that time.

Sometimes the emergency room is exactly where a child needs to be. But timely access to a physician can sometimes help a family safely manage a problem before it escalates.

I’m Dr. Michael Gray with SelfPayMD.com. Thoughtful care starts with listening—and figuring out the next step.