Medical expert of the article
New publications
Herpetic esophagitis
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
[Symptoms of herpetic esophagitis
Symptoms of herpetic esophagitis are similar to those of banal catarrhal esophagitis and are accompanied by symptoms of a common herpetic infection (sudden onset, chills, fever, sometimes convulsions). After 24-48 hours the severity of these phenomena is significantly reduced or they completely disappear. In return, there are local signs of herpetic lesions on the skin, mucous membrane of the pharynx and esophagus. The last in clinical manifestations is dominated by pain during passage of the food lump through the esophagus, dysphagia, sometimes belching mucus with an admixture of blood.
Where does it hurt?
Diagnosis of herpetic esophagitis
The diagnosis of herpetic esophagitis is determined by the presence of herpetic lesions of the skin, pharyngeal mucosa and in fibro-esophagoscopy. Herpetic lesions of the mucous membrane of the esophagus are manifested in the form of vesicles with scalloped edges, which tend to merge, filled with a serous liquid of yellowish color. Vesicles are replaced by ulcers, the bottom of which is covered with a yellowish false-filmy coating. These lesions of the mucosa of the esophagus are similar to those that occur on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and pharynx, which facilitates the diagnosis of influenza esophagitis. Herpetic eruptions on the mucosa of the esophagus can be repeated at small intervals, gradually increasing, and the number of rashes decreases.
What do need to examine?
What tests are needed?
Who to contact?
Treatment and prognosis of herpetic esophagitis
Treatment of herpetic esophagitis is a general antiviral antiherpetic, but in most cases, influenza esophagitis passes on its own. Locally - the same measures as in catarrhal esophagitis.
The prognosis for the occurrence of strictures of the esophagus is favorable. Only with secondary infection, which is rare, it is possible the occurrence of pyogenic esophagitis.