Herpes in the mouth
synonym
Mouth rot, aphthous stomatitis
General
The disease, which used to be often referred to as mouth rot, is caused by the herpes virus subgroup HSV 1 and occurs mostly in younger patients and children. A first appearance is also possible in adulthood.
Read more on the topic: Oral rot in the adult
In some exceptional cases it can also happen that adults are affected by the disease. It is mostly transmitted through saliva, rarely directly through the skin. In most cases, the virus enters the body through contaminated cutlery or dishes or through oral saliva transmission and can remain unnoticed for a certain period of time. In some cases, a herpes infection breaks out, which manifests itself in the form of visible blisters called fever blisters.
For more information, see the main Herpes article.
Symptoms
The first symptoms after an infection and an outbreak of herpes disease occur are days persistent high fever and a poor general condition of the patient who is in weakness, Loss of appetite and Difficulty swallowing can express.
The more will also be Sore throat and complaints that resemble the clinical picture of angina.
In the further course there is one massive reddening of the cheek mucosa and des Gums. At this point in time, small bumps in the skin and irritation of the gums can be seen.
If the herpes disease breaks out completely in the following days, it comes to herpes infections typical skin changes. These consist of Ulceration of the mucous membrane and from one Blistering. The vesicles are small, only a few millimeters in diameter, and stand together in small groups.
Also the Throat and pharynx area can be affected by these vesicles and symptoms such as Difficulty swallowing and Burn as well as temporarily very severe pain carry with them.
The risk of a herpes simplex infection of the throat and pharynx is that contact with the blood vessels can also cause the viral load to become so high that it can lead to a massive systematic infection of the body. In this case one speaks of one Herpes sepsiswhich can sometimes lead to life-threatening conditions.
diagnosis
While a visual diagnosis is often sufficient for the other herpes infections, there are still some differential diagnoses for the oropharynx infection that must be ruled out because they cause similar symptoms.
Many childhood diseases or classic angina can initially cause similar complaints and symptoms.
A herpes infection can only be assumed when blistering occurs.
Since the disease often affects young children, the first symptom that parents notice is the fever and the refusal to eat due to the sore throat. The pediatrician should also examine the entire patient to see if there are any other skin sources of infection. It is often the case that on the lip, more precisely on the outside of the lip, a few small groups of vesicles can be seen. This also indicates a herpes virus infection.
Learn more about the topic at: Mouth rot in children / toddlers
causes
The herpes infection im mouth is a viral infection of the Oral mucosa and of the gums and is supported by the Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). It is most common in young children.
The cause of a herpes in the mouth is usually the so-called Herpes simplex virus type 1. Type 1 mainly affects the lips and the oral cavity. It is therefore also called "oral type" designated. In contrast, type 2 affects the genital and possibly also the anal region and is therefore also called "genital type" designated. The herpes simplex virus belongs to the group of so-called DNA viruses. The genetic material of the DNA virus is in the form of a DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) in front. This type of genetic material is also known in humans, where the genetic material is also present as a DNA strand. But there are also other forms of virus whose genetic material is not in the form of a DNA, but in the form of a RNA (Ribonucleic acid).
The herpes simplex virus belongs to the family of Herpes viruses. This also includes various other viruses, such as the Herpes zoster virus, the Cytomegaly virus or that too Epstein-Barr Virus. All of these viruses, although belonging to the herpes virus family, cause very different diseases. Herpes zoster, for example, is the causative agent chickenpox known to be the causative agent of the Epstein-Barr virus Pfeiffer's glandular fever. It is therefore important to know that when one speaks of herpes in the mouth, there is always an infection with the herpes simplex virus. Once infected with the virus and symptoms subsided, it does not go away completely from the body. Instead, it travels along the nerve fibers to their cell bodies and remains there until the next infection.
If you become infected with the pathogen, you will carry it with you for your entire life. This results in a very high degree of contamination. Does it come to one in the course of life Weakened immune system, be it from a cold or just simply stress, the herpes outbreak may come back. In adulthood, however, usually not herpes in the mouth, but a Cold sore as many probably know it. Herpes simplex virus diseases are among the most common infectious diseases. The transmission takes place through so-called Droplet and smear infections, for example by kissing, coughing or using the same cutlery.
therapy
If there is any doubt about the diagnosis, one should Oral and pharynx swab and the neck carried out and a corresponding immunological examination be carried out in a microbiological laboratory. After a few days, the final result will be known.
Are the General complaints already so badthat the results can no longer be waited for should started prophylactically with therapy become.
This also includes the symptomatic, antipyretic therapy. In the case of children and toddlers, this usually consists of Paracetamolthat can be given to the child in the form of suppositories.
Then the antiviral therapy by means of Acyclovir to be started. However, this assumes that the patient's condition is relatively stable. Is already one Herpes sepsis occurred, the patient must immediately intensive care be monitored.
Furthermore can also symptomatic treatment attempts With cooling mouthwashes and solutions carried out to reduce the local pain stimuli. When choosing food you should not too solid food elected and rather on soft food be avoided as long as the discomfort in the oropharynx is present.
Therapy with acyclovir should be carried out until the blisters in the throat area have disappeared. It can always happen to one Relapse the disease comes. In this case, the therapy should be repeated. Herpes viruses remain in the body for life with or without therapy.
More information can be found here: Cold sores - this is how it is treated correctly, Cold sore creams
What else should you do?
If typical symptoms of a herpes infection in the mouth area and in the mouth appear for the first time, a doctor should first be consulted who can either confirm the diagnosis or find another reason for the symptoms.
This is especially true if symptoms such as a high temperature and significant difficulty swallowing are present. In these cases a so-called herpes sepsis threatens which requires urgent medical attention. In addition, an early diagnosis and the associated early start of therapy can significantly reduce the time it takes for symptoms to be free.
A doctor's visit is not always necessary. In this way, some symptoms of herpes can also be treated yourself. If you are unsure, it is still advisable to ask a specialist for advice, as the development of complications can often be prevented with the right therapy.
The disease often begins quite unspecifically with an increased temperature. At this point it is usually not yet clear that the herpes infection has broken out. Antipyretic drugs such as paracetamol can be taken here to lower the temperature. As a precautionary measure, children should be consulted with their family doctor or pediatrician in order to discover dangerous illnesses and not to exceed the correct dose of the drug. Even if the fever is very high (above 40 ° C) a doctor should be consulted.
Another main symptom of the disease is the tenderness of the vesicles. These can be treated with pain medication and ointments. The attending physician can best decide together with the patient concerned which individual therapy makes sense in each individual case.
Some aids can also help keep symptoms under control. It is particularly important to adjust the diet in order to avoid irritation of the wounds. Very dry and sharp-edged food can trigger the unpleasant pain, which is why you should not take this food until the blisters have healed. The same applies to very salty, spicy and hot dishes. Chilled food and drinks usually help to alleviate the symptoms somewhat. If the symptoms do not improve after a while, a visit to a doctor is urgently recommended in order to avoid serious consequences of a herpes infection in the mouth.
Medicines for a herpes infection in the mouth
When a herpes infection has broken out in the mouth area, different drugs are used depending on the clinical picture.
Basically, a distinction must be made between two different forms of medication. On the one hand, the use of medication is what exclusively Symptom treatment Treating the infection often makes sense. However, there are also drugs that do this virus fight yourself. However, there is no drug that can prevent the disease from developing again. The virus is still present in the body even after the disease has healed.
Above all, fever relievers and pain relievers have a symptom-relieving effect. Is particularly common Paracetamol used to lower fever, while topical lidocaine ointments have an analgesic effect. Systemic pain therapy is also possible.
A drug that fights the virus and is used relatively often for a herpes infection is Acyclovir. Whether the intake of acyclovir can be recommended individually should be discussed with the attending physician.
Homeopathy for herpes in the mouth
There are numerous homeopathic remedies which are supposed to provide relief from a herpes infection in the mouth.
Some examples of commonly used remedies are Arsenicum album, Dulcamara, Rhus toxicodendron, Sepia as well Sodium chloratum. Depending on the symptoms and the individual situation, each remedy has a different indication. For example, the use of Dulcamara is recommended for herpes infections, which in women are often triggered by the menstrual period.
Since the herpes infection in the mouth and throat area is not a harmless disease, homeopathy should never be taken without consulting the attending physician. Since no scientific evidence of the effectiveness of homeopathic medication has been found so far, a severe herpes infection in the mouth area should not be treated by taking homeopathic remedies alone. In order to avoid serious side effects, the advice of the attending physician should always be sought.
Herpes in the throat
Herpes infectionswhich are noticeable in the throat by painful blisters should always be clarified by a doctor. The first manifestation of the virus in the throat is particularly common and is therefore common in children and adolescents.
However, since a number of different diseases can cause symptoms in the throat, it is often difficult to differentiate between the diseases. The treating family doctor or pediatrician can determine whether it is actually herpes or another disease that is causing discomfort in the throat.
In some cases a Throat swab be necessary to secure the diagnosis. The vesicles in the throat region are dangerous because they are in close contact with blood vessels in this region. So when the pathogen gets into the bloodstream it can easily become a so-called Herpes sepsis come who urgently need medical attention.
The symptoms of a herpes infection of the throat are usually more pronounced than in other regions of the mouth. Since the throat takes on essential functions when swallowing and eating, it is particularly difficult to eat food in the case of cold sores in the throat and massive swallowing difficulties often occur.
Duration of illness
Depending on the location and extent of the infestation, an outbreak of herpes infection can last for different lengths of time.
In addition, the healing time can take different amounts of time depending on the type of medication and the individual immune system.
Since the herpes in the mouth is usually an initial infection with the virus, the course of the disease is usually somewhat different than the reactivations in the face.
The infection often begins relatively unspecifically with symptoms such as a flu infection. In the first phase, which lasts for a few hours to days, an increased temperature, body aches and fatigue can be in the foreground. This phase is replaced by the painful formation of blisters or ulcers in the mouth which is triggered by the herpes virus. This phase usually lasts around 6-10 days. Antiviral therapy can shorten the time it takes for the blisters to heal somewhat.
However, if the immune system is weak, the healing time may be delayed. Since a herpes infection in the mouth can be shortened with the right therapy, a visit to a doctor is recommended if such an infection is suspected.
That might be interesting for you too: Course of oral rot
How dangerous is herpes in the mouth?
A herpes infection in the mouth area should be taken seriously in any case. As a rule, the blisters heal after a few days, whereby the correct therapy can delay the healing time and reduce the risk of complications.
infection
Contagion with the Herpes virus takes place through contact with infected liquid. In particular, the fluid in the vesicles that arise when the infection breaks out is highly contagious. For this reason, care should be taken to avoid any saliva contact with other people if there is an outbreak in the mouth.
Since the herpes infection in the mouth area is usually a disease of small children, some special rules apply. So it is recommended to children during a herpes outbreak by kindergartens and daycare centers keep away to avoid infecting the other children and adults. The parents of the affected children should also be careful when dealing with potential saliva exchange during an infection. The other way round also applies that parents who suffer from a herpes infection in the mouth area, for example, should not put the children's pacifier in their own mouth in order to avoid infection of their children.
In general, a herpes infection is much less likely after the blisters have completely healed.
What should be considered during pregnancy?
Herpes infection during pregnancy can be dangerous for the newborn. An infection with the so-called genital herpes is particularly dangerous, whereby the cold sore can also be dangerous for the child.
This is especially true if it is an initial infection with the virus.
Since an outbreak in the mouth usually indicates an initial outbreak of the disease, a doctor should always be consulted if herpes is suspected as the cause of the symptoms.
Herpes infection during pregnancy can and should be treated with antiviral therapy. This is still possible in the last trimester of pregnancy.
Since, in rare cases, genital herpes can also infect the mouth area and, if the mother is infected, this has a significant impact on the baby, therapy is urgently recommended.
In some cases, it may be necessary to have a caesarean section to avoid dangerous complications for the baby.
The attending physician can best assess which individual therapy is suitable.
Read more on the topic:
- Cold Sores During Pregnancy - Is It Dangerous?
- Infections in pregnancy
- Fever during pregnancy
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