Is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease the Same as Herpangina?

Question

Is hand, foot, and mouth disease the same as herpangina?

Answer

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is not the same as herpangina. Both are caused by viral infections, but the blisters of herpangina only appear on the throat and oral mucosa, while hand, foot, and mouth disease has blisters or ulcers on the hands, feet, and mouth. Herpangina is not contagious and primarily affects children aged 1 to 7, whereas hand, foot, and mouth disease is highly contagious and often occurs in children under 5 years old.