Herpetic stomatitis or gingivostomatits is an infectious disease that spreads through direct contact with the herpes simplex virus, for example through skin or mucous membrane contact, and the condition is most common in children and young adults. Symptoms include painful swallowing, headache, fever, swelling of gums, and painful mouth ulcers; Several small blisters develop on the tongue, the inside of the lips and the cheek. These blisters break quite easily and leave a small sore. The sores will heal within two or three weeks.
- What is gingivostomatitis?
- Who does it occur to?
- Prevent
- Cause of blisters or sores in the mouth
- HSV-1
- Coxsackieviruses
- Streptococci
- Actinomyces
- Symptoms
- Treatment of blisters and sores in the mouth
- Prognosis
What is gingivostomatitis?
Gingivostomatitis is a painful oral infection that can cause blisters on the lips and ulcers in the mouth. The condition is caused by a virus and sometimes by a bacteria.
Who does it occur to?
The condition usually affects young children. However, it can occur at any age.
Prevent
Gingivostomatitis is quite common. Once infected, about 40% of children develop recurrent mouth sores.
Cause of blisters or sores in the mouth
HSV-1
An infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV) in the mouth (herpetic stomatitis) causes painful blisters or sores in various places
in the mouth. Two types of herpes simplex viruses are distinguished:
- HSV-1, usually the cause of cold sores; and
- HSV-2, which often causes genital herpes (although genital infections are sometimes also caused by HSV-1).
Infections with this virus can be transmitted by:
- direct contact with blisters;
- contact by mouth; or
- sexual contact with chronically infected people in the period preceding the outbreak of blisters.
Infection mainly occurs through direct contact with the virus, for example through skin or mucous membrane contact (kissing or sexual contact), but contamination can sometimes also occur through certain utensils. An infected person can also transmit the virus to another part of the body by touching the herpes rash with their fingers.
After the blisters disappear, the virus remains latent in the body in a group of nerve cells and the virus can be reactivated from time to time. A recurrence mainly concerns the skin and no longer the (oral) mucosa. Reactivation of latent oral HSV infection can be induced by:
- fever;
- period;
- emotional stress or persistent tension;
- suppression of the immune system.
An infection of the oral mucosa is caused by HSV-1. The incubation period lasts 2-7 days.
Coxsackieviruses
Gingivostomatitis can also occur after infection with a coxsackievirus. This culprit is usually spread by unwashed hands or other surfaces contaminated with feces (feces). The coxsackie virus is also the cause of hand, foot and mouth disease.
Streptococci
This bacteria commonly causes strep throat or blood infections, but can also lead to gingivostomatitis.
Actinomyces
Actinomyces bacteria are often harmless microbes, many of which naturally occur in your mouth and intestines. This bacterium can cause gingivostomatitis if it invades the oral tissues. This can happen after jaw surgery or trauma to the mouth.
Symptoms
With an infection of the oral mucosa by HSV-1, you see the following picture:
- several small blisters appear on the inside of the lips, tongue and cheek;
- these blisters rupture quite quickly and then leave a small ulcer that resembles canker sores;
- these sores are present in large numbers;
- you suffer from pain and redness of the oral mucosa and gums;
- the infection may spread to the skin around the mouth;
- children do not feel well, are lethargic and lethargic;
- (mild) fever;
- Eating and drinking can be very painful, creating the risk of dehydration.
The (worst) complaints usually disappear after a week.
Treatment of blisters and sores in the mouth
Treatment in children is primarily aimed at preventing dehydration because they do not want to eat or drink because of the pain. Drinking small amounts of cold drinks, yogurt or custard can help. In addition, good pain relief can help the child experience less discomfort from the spots in the mouth. It generally takes a few days before the peak is reached and the sores become less active and disappear again.
You may need to take antibiotics in case of a bacterial infection. The doctor will then prescribe this.
Self-measures include:
- Practice good oral hygiene. Brush your gums well to reduce the risk of new infection.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water or hydrogen peroxide mouthwashes to reduce discomfort.
- Eat healthy. Bland, bland (non-spicy) foods can reduce discomfort while eating.
Prognosis
Gingivostomatitis infections range from mild to severe and are annoying and painful. Mouth sores often heal within 2 or 3 weeks, with or without treatment. Treatment can reduce discomfort and speed healing.
read more
- Blisters in the mouth: causes blisters or sores in the mouth
- Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease: Symptoms, Cause & Treatment
- Blisters on the tongue: causes of sores and tongue blisters
- Bumps on the tongue: causes of white or red tongue bumps
- Mouth ulcer or sore on tongue: canker sores, what to do?
