Herpetic stomatitis

Herpetic stomatitis is one of the subtypes of herpes lesions of the human mucosa. During the manifestation of herpetic stomatitis, many ulcers appear in the patient's mouth, characteristic of herpes, which give very unpleasant sensations, especially when eating.

It is rare to find a person who has never encountered a disease such as herpes. This is a viral infection characterized by the appearance of small blisters on the skin and mucous membranes, which are grouped together, creating entire islands of damage. Most often, rashes appear on the skin, on the mucous membrane of the eye in the form of conjunctivitis or keratitis, as well as in the genital area. In the most complex forms, herpes can affect the central nervous system, causing meningitis or encephalitis.

Herpes worsens due to either overheating or hypothermia, which reduces the body's resistance to nothing.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ]

Causes of herpetic stomatitis

Recently, doctors have come to the conclusion that it is the herpes virus infection that is the primary source of herpetic stomatitis. The herpes virus, once it has entered the human body, does not disappear from it and may not manifest itself for a long time and not affect the functioning of internal organs.

Herpetic stomatitis is the most common type of stomatitis. It is observed mostly in children under 3 years of age, as well as in young people. Herpes can first enter the human body against the background of a general weakening of the body and a decrease in immunity. The herpes virus is transmitted to a healthy person through direct contact with a sick person or by airborne droplets. The incubation period of the virus in the body of an infected person is from 2 to 21 days. Mild forms of the virus are quite tolerable in terms of pain, the symptoms of the disease disappear on the 2-4th day. Herpetic stomatitis in children is easier and less painful, with significant salivation, the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the mouth and possible nausea or vomiting due to intoxication.

In adults, this disease worsens and becomes more painful, since various processes occur in the mouth of an adult over time - caries forms, gum pockets expand and increase, the mucous membrane is injured due to exposure to very hot, cold, spicy food, smoking has a negative effect, etc.

[ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ], [ 10 ]

Symptoms of herpetic stomatitis

During an exacerbation of the herpes virus in the body, which leads to the appearance of herpetic stomatitis, characteristic aphthae appear on the oral mucosa, which are located on swollen, inflamed, hyperemic skin. In addition, the patient's condition worsens in general - the temperature rises, frequent or constant headaches appear, appetite decreases, constant drowsiness is felt, lymph nodes located under the jaw protrude and begin to hurt. As mentioned earlier, ulcers in herpetic stomatitis resemble islands of small bubbles. The bubbles are filled with a light cloudy liquid. The appearance of ulcers is typical for 2-3 days of the disease.

Children most often suffer from a mild form of this disease. As soon as herpetic stomatitis develops in children, they begin to react very violently to pain - they often cry, do not want to eat, older children complain of a burning sensation in the mouth, dizziness, nausea or vomiting.

Herpetic stomatitis in children gradually begins to subside on the 2nd-4th day, the blisters burst, the liquid flows out of them, the skin lies on the mucous membrane and then grows, the ulcers epithelialize and the child's well-being improves.

Herpetic stomatitis in adults is more painful and difficult, as it is aggravated by the consequences of previous diseases, as well as structural changes in the tissues in the mouth. This disease most often occurs in people who suffered from acute herpetic stomatitis at an early age, and at some point in adulthood, they neglected their body, allowed their immunity to weaken, or suffered from some serious disease - cancer, blood disease, severe hypothermia, and so on.

Aphthous herpetic stomatitis

Aphthous herpetic stomatitis, also known as acute herpetic stomatitis, is a serious disease caused by the same herpes virus. It is distinguished by the fact that it disrupts the functioning of the immune, nervous system, and macrophages.

Aphthous herpetic stomatitis can be combined with herpetic eruptions both on the skin and on the genitals. The virus multiplies in the epithelium and is practically not eliminated from the body. Contains DNA. Most often, the virus enters the human body at the age of 1-3 years, when the antibodies received from the mother are eliminated from the child's body, and the protective functions of the body are somewhat reduced, and the virus remains with the child for life. Almost 90% of adults have the herpes virus in their body.

[ 11 ], [ 12 ], [ 13 ], [ 14 ], [ 15 ], [ 16 ]

Chronic herpetic stomatitis

Occurs periodically in people infected with the herpes virus. The release and increase in the number of viral cells occurs every day. In small quantities, the virus enters the skin cells, the mucous membrane, where they are neutralized by the mechanisms of the immune system.

Chronic herpetic stomatitis is characterized by the appearance of blisters both on and inside the skin, which burst fairly quickly, causing minor erosions. Recurrent herpetic stomatitis does not have a large amount of dead tissue in the area of the ulcers, the lymph nodes remain the same size, there is no increased salivation or bad breath, and there is no bleeding.

During a relapse of the disease, general weakness, lack of appetite, irritability, joint pain are observed, the general temperature reaches 37.5-38.5 degrees. Depending on the complexity of the form of the disease, 3 stages of chronic herpetic stomatitis are distinguished:

• mild – the disease “visits” you 1-2 times a year, the number of ulcers is small;
• moderate - the patient suffers from stomatitis 2-4 times a year, has general symptoms;
• severe – the disease returns more than 4 times a year or recurs continuously, new ulcers may immediately appear in place of the ulcers that pass, the symptoms are quite strong.

[ 17 ], [ 18 ], [ 19 ]

Diagnosis of herpetic stomatitis

A doctor will help you determine that your disease is herpetic stomatitis. In order to confirm this diagnosis, a number of procedures will need to be carried out. First of all, it is necessary to find out whether this disease has been observed before, which the patient's medical record will help with.

Then the doctor must examine the oral cavity and determine the nature of the wounds formed on the mucous membrane or skin. In addition to visual information, the doctor must also find out about the course of the disease before contacting a medical institution. By examining the patient and examining the affected areas of his body, the doctor determines the type of virus or infection, the nature of the course, as well as the severity and stage of development of the disease. If it is not possible to determine the nature of the disease in this way, the doctor conducts a number of laboratory studies - virological, cytological, immunological, molecular biological, serological, and so on. The doctor must determine the cause of the appearance and the organisms that influenced the appearance and development of such a disease in your body.

After these procedures, treatment is prescribed. During treatment, the doctor also monitors the patient, the development of the disease, and changes in the surface of the affected areas.

[ 20 ]

Treatment of herpetic stomatitis

Treatment of herpetic stomatitis in children and adults differs in some ways.

Treatment of herpetic stomatitis in children during the recurrent period should begin before the first "warning bells" appear, announcing the return of the disease. As soon as the child begins to feel a slight burning or itching, swelling in the mouth, it is necessary to begin local, or better yet, systemic treatment.

For the treatment of herpetic stomatitis in children, acyclovir is prescribed, sometimes in increased quantities. However, parents should be prepared to replace medications - acyclovir will sometimes need to be replaced with cidofovir or foscarnet. Such substitutions are explained by the fact that herpes stops responding to the same drug that is used at each relapse.

During the period of the disease's retreat, it is also necessary to carry out prevention of herpetic stomatitis, as well as to be constantly under the control of the attending dentist. It is necessary to constantly improve the child's health, adhere to the diet and sleep regimen, prevent or eradicate bad habits. If necessary, cleanse permanent sites of inflammation or ulcers from necrotic tissue.

It is necessary to ensure that the child does not injure the mucous membranes of the mouth, does not chew hard objects, does not bite his lips and cheeks. In the spring and summer, it is advisable to apply sun-protective lipstick to the child's lips.

If such procedures do not help, and the form of herpetic stomatitis has become severe, consult an immunologist, since it is advisable for your child to undergo immunocorrection.

Treatment of herpetic stomatitis in adults can begin spontaneously and it will still help speed up recovery, reduce pain, and eliminate complications.

In general therapy, the patient is prescribed a number of drugs that he must take for 5-7 days. Bonafton, which is taken 0.1 g up to 5 times a day for 5 days, has antiviral properties. Sodium salicylate, which is taken 0.5 g four times a day, cleanses the body of unwanted elements that enter the body during the course of herpetic stomatitis, and also helps strengthen the body's defenses. Antihistamines are also prescribed - diphenhydramine, diazolin, suprastin and others. If the patient is in hospital treatment, then prodigosan can also be prescribed intramuscularly at 25-50 mcg 2-3 times with an interval of 3-4 days after each injection.

There are also a number of other drugs that are prescribed for the treatment of herpetic stomatitis in adults:

• leukinferon – inhalations and injections, course – 7-10 days;
• acyclovir/zovirax – tablets, 4 pieces per day, course – 5 days;
• Imudon – tablets, 6-8 pieces per day, course – 14-21 days;
• interferon – solution, 5-6 drops per day, course – 7 days.

As for local therapy, both children and adults need to apply ointments to the affected areas, use antiseptics, and it is also advisable to rinse the affected areas with special solutions several times a day.

Ointment for the treatment of herpetic stomatitis based on interferon:

• 1 ampoule of interferon;
• 5 g anhydrous lanolin;
• 1 g peach oil;
• 0.5 g of anesthesin.

You can also use 0.5% bonafthon, 2% tebrofen, 1-2% florenal ointments or 3% linimet gossypol and other drugs.

For rinsing the mouth, use solutions of potassium permanganate in a proportion of 1:5000, 0.25-0.5% hydrogen peroxide, 0.25% chloramine, a solution of furacilin in a proportion of 1:5000, 0.1% chlorhexidine and others.

To anesthetize the affected areas, a 5-10% solution of anesthesin with peach oil, a 1-2% solution of pyromecaine, a 1% solution of trimecaine, and a 10% aerosol of lidocaine are prescribed.

Prevention of herpetic stomatitis

In order to avoid the occurrence of herpetic stomatitis, it is necessary to carry out a number of preventive measures.

You should always listen to your body, avoid hypothermia or, on the contrary, overheating, which disarm your body and allow harmful organisms to develop and cause you discomfort. Prevention of herpetic stomatitis should also include drug treatment in case of sudden hypothermia, severe stress, during treatment of autoimmune diseases, and so on.

Also, especially for the treatment of herpetic stomatitis in children, 7-10 sessions of helium-neon laser radiation can be prescribed.

In addition, you need to watch your diet, get rid of bad habits, especially those that contribute to injury to the mucous membrane of the mouth and lips. It is advisable to harden and improve your health.

Herpetic stomatitis is a fairly common and widespread phenomenon, however, some people struggle with it and try to get rid of it completely or at least reduce the frequency of its occurrence, while others neglect the disease and then suffer from it all their lives. Remember that your body is your creation because you are the creator of your health. And a healthy life is practically a happy life.

Be healthy and always take care of your body!