What Is Herpangina?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
4. How Contagious is Herpangina?
In the ideal world, everyone would wash their hands thoroughly and often, particularly before eating or touching their faces, to prevent the spread of viruses and other germs. Herpangina can live on surfaces for days, but it is easily killed with common household cleaners. It is the most contagious in the first week of infection.
However, no matter how vigilant teachers or custodians are in keeping areas clean, they cannot walk behind each child all day with a disinfectant wipe to sterilize everything the child touches. Therefore, if one child in the classroom has herpangina, he or she may spread it to the rest of the class.
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