Herpes and its treatment herpetic stomatitis. Herpes stomatitis

Damage to the oral mucosa always causes extremely unpleasant sensations. When symptoms of inflammation appear, many do not dare to see a doctor because of a “banal” infection.

As a result, the condition can worsen significantly, especially in the case of herpetic stomatitis.

Herpetic stomatitis is a disease of viral etiology. The herpes virus that causes the disease determines the characteristic features of the manifestation and course of the disease, including the possibility of periodic relapses.

To reduce discomfort to a minimum, it is important to identify the disease at a very early stage and promptly begin complex therapy.

Reasons for the development of infection

In the case of herpetic stomatitis, there is one single reason for the development of the pathological process, namely, the entry of the herpes virus into the human body. Also, it is worth highlighting a number of factors that make it possible to become infected with the virus:

The herpes virus is characterized by high contagiousness (infectiousness), so you can become infected in any public place and even on the street.

Transmission of the virus occurs by airborne droplets, contact or hematogenous (through blood) methods. Most often, herpetic stomatitis develops during the cold period; children under three years of age, adolescents and young people are most susceptible to developing the infection.

Activation of the disease in adults

A feature of herpetic stomatitis is the possibility of its reappearance due to the constant presence of the herpes virus in the body after the initial infection.

Resistance to the virus and the severity of the disease depend on the body's immunological defense.

Being in a dormant state, the infection is activated as soon as favorable conditions appear, and in adulthood the disease can occur against the background of an almost complete absence of general symptoms.

But most often the disease is accompanied by characteristic symptoms that differ depending on the type of disease.

Acute form of the disorder

Acute herpetic stomatitis develops in stages and may differ depending on the form of the course.

Lightweight option

The following symptoms occur:

Moderate form

Diagnosed by the following signs:

Severe form

With a significant aggravation of the process, the following is noted:

• development of severe intoxication with vomiting and diarrhea;
• temperature rise up to 40 degrees;
• damage to the entire oral mucosa with multiple rashes.

After the appearance of vesicles filled with clear liquid, the development of herpetic stomatitis occurs according to one scenario:

In some cases, rashes characteristic of herpetic stomatitis affect the border of the lips and the skin bordering it, in addition, the gingival papillae and the marginal parts of the gums surrounding the teeth become hyperemic and swollen (which is also characteristic of acute gingivitis).

Chronic course of the disease

Chronic herpetic stomatitis during an exacerbation, along with characteristic rashes, may experience joint pain, irritability, loss of appetite and general weakness.

Sometimes the temperature rises within 37.5 - 38.5 degrees.

The frequency of relapses and the severity of symptoms depend on the form of the disease:

• light form characterized by exacerbations no more than 2 times a year with the appearance of single ulcers;
• with moderate course stomatitis worsens 2-4 times a year with characteristic general symptoms;
• for severe forms characterized by an almost continuous exacerbation of the disease with a constant increase in symptoms.

Diagnosis and difference from other diseases

Only a qualified specialist can make a correct diagnosis and carry out differential diagnostics (to exclude other forms of stomatitis).

First of all, the general condition of the patient is assessed, his medical record is studied, and a visual examination of the oral cavity is performed to determine the nature of the wounds, the severity of the disease and its stage.

If a visual examination does not provide a clear picture, laboratory tests are carried out, including virological, immunological, serological, molecular biological and cytological diagnostics.

The latter method is applicable in the first days of illness. The material for research is a scraping from blisters or emerging erosions, which is stained using the Romanovsky-Giemsa method to identify the herpes virus (the presence of macrophages and polymorphonuclear neutrophils is assessed).

How to exclude diseases with similar clinical picture? We pay attention to the characteristic signs:

Treatment methods

Only a doctor can determine the tactics by correctly selecting a regimen of local and general therapy.

General treatment

First of all, attention is paid to proper nutrition and the presence of essential nutrients and vitamins in the diet.

During the period of exacerbation of the disease, the emphasis is on increased drinking regimen, which allows you to quickly eliminate the symptoms of intoxication.

Also, antiviral, immunostimulating and vitamin therapy is carried out with the prescription of appropriate drugs (Famciclovir, Interferon or Imudon, ascorbic acid, respectively). The choice of medications is at the discretion of the doctor depending on the patient’s condition.

In case of obvious chronic herpetic stomatitis, it can be prescribed as an auxiliary therapeutic and prophylactic agent. lysine.

Local therapy

The goal of local treatment is to relieve pain, heal existing ulcers and prevent further development of inflammation. For this, rinses are used (alkaline solutions are especially effective for severe pain), special gels and antiseptics.

For rapid healing of wounds, the oral cavity should be regularly (every 3-4 hours) treated with a cotton swab soaked in Miramistin, after which a gel that relieves inflammation is applied to the affected areas. A suitable option is Viferon or gossypol liniment.

The following will help reduce the sensitivity of the affected areas: anesthesin in peach oil or lidocaine in an aerosol. Only a qualified doctor can prescribe such drugs.

Features of the course of the disease in children

In childhood, as in adults, the incubation period can last from several days to several weeks. The first signs of illness are often “unreasonable” crying and refusal to eat.

If such signs are present, it is important to pay attention to the presence of bad breath and the intensity of salivation. Older children may complain of a burning sensation in the mouth, headaches and nausea, which indicates intoxication of the body.

As a rule, normalization of the condition is observed after epithelization of ulcers formed in the oral cavity.

Unlike adults, who can be treated on an outpatient basis, small patients under the age of 3 years, when diagnosed with herpetic stomatitis, must be hospitalized in a hospital, since general treatment and local procedures can only be carried out under the supervision of medical personnel.

Disease prevention

To prevent the development of the disease, it is enough to follow the following simple recommendations:

Paying attention to your health and giving up bad habits will definitely have a positive impact on your general condition, and the risk of developing an unpleasant disease will be minimized.

If the disease has already manifested itself, do not despair. Timely treatment will ensure rapid elimination of negative symptoms and recovery. The main thing is not to let the disease progress, excluding repeated relapses.

A subtype of inflammation of the oral mucosa is herpetic stomatitis. The disease is provoked by the herpes virus against the background of decreased immunity. The disease manifests itself with many symptoms, the most obvious of which are many ulcers or aphthae in the oral cavity, causing discomfort, especially while eating. Stomatitis caused by HSV is diagnosed visually and based on test results and smears. Treatment is selected individually, depending on the stage of the disease and its severity.

Description

Herpetic stomatitis belongs to a group of pathologies caused by viruses and accompanied by severe damage to the oral mucosa and the area around the mouth. The disease manifests itself as painful ulcers and aphthous wounds. Primary infection of a person occurs due to a severe weakening of the immune system or due to excessive overheating or hypothermia.

Herpes is contagious and is therefore transmitted by airborne droplets or contact. Herpetic manifestations of stomatitis in children are especially common. The disease can develop in acute-atrophic and chronic form.

Kinds

Herpes stomatitis comes in two forms:

• , which occurs during primary infection. The disease can occur in mild, moderate and severe forms:
  • With normal immunity, the disease is mild and practically asymptomatic. A slight rash in the form of several bubbles filled with a liquid substrate on the oral mucosa is possible. They quickly burst, become crusty and heal.
  • As the disease worsens, body temperature may rise to subfebrile levels. There are slightly more rashes, and discomfort appears when eating and drinking. The person may feel weak and unwell.
  • In severe cases of herpes stomatitis, the temperature always rises sharply (more than 38°C), the patient gets chills, and aches in the bones, joints, and muscles appear. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting occur less frequently. This form is called herpetic due to the formation of a large number of ulcers or aphthae on the oral mucosa, which, after healing, are immediately covered with new wounds. With this disease, serious complications develop. If any of the forms of acute herpes stomatitis is not treated with drugs, a recurrent pathology will develop.
• Chronic herpes stomatitis, characterized by frequent exacerbations and temporary cessation of the disease. Provoking factors for relapse may be:
  • weakened immune system;
  • suffered from acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections;
  • injury to soft oral tissues (biting, chewing on the inside of the cheeks, etc.);
  • caries and other dental pathologies.

The chronic form is characterized by the absence of other signs of pathology. One characteristic manifestation is blistering rashes. The rash most often appears on the cheeks, upper hard palate, and tongue. Large clusters of bubbles always form, which quickly merge and burst with the formation of painful erosions.

Causes

Herpetic stomatitis is provoked by the following factors:

• damage to the oral mucosa in the form of burns from hot food, trauma from rough food, or as a result of dental treatment;
• drying out of the mucous membrane;
• insufficient or excessive oral hygiene;
• incorrectly installed or low-quality dentures;
• incorrectly selected diet, when persistent hypo- and vitamin deficiency develops;
• changes in hormonal levels;
• chemotherapy or radiation;
• various concomitant diseases that provoke a decrease in immunity.

Herpes stomatitis in children and adults can also be caused by low-quality toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulfate, which is harmful to the body.

The disease can appear at any age, but children from 6 months of age, when their own immunity has not yet been formed, and maternal antibodies lose their strength, are more often affected. Often herpetic stomatitis in a child occurs as a primary infection. Rarely does the disease occur alone; it is usually accompanied by:

• gingivostomatitis;
• herpetic gingivitis;
• stomatitis.

In infants, a risk factor is the time of teething between the ages of six months and 2-2.5 years, when the integrity of the mucous membrane is compromised and the risk of infection increases due to constant contact with toys, teethers and the baby’s hands, which are not always washed in a timely manner.

Symptoms

The clinical picture of atrophic and recurrent herpes stomatitis depends on the severity of the pathology:

• Light form. There are no general signs, but the temperature may rise to 37-37.2°C. Before the appearance of herpetic blisters, the gums become inflamed, that is, gingivitis develops. The rash that appears in a small amount quickly opens up, the tongue becomes covered with a fibrinous coating, but soon goes away. Sometimes a mild form is accompanied by symptoms of submandibular lymphadenitis.
• Medium shape. The disease progresses more intensely and is often accompanied by a rise in temperature - up to 38-38.2°C. The patient complains of the following manifestations:
  • migraine;
  • weakness and malaise;
  • nausea;
  • loss of appetite due to pain when eating;
  • increased sweating and salivation. The nature of the rash is more pronounced, the number of blisters reaches 20 pieces, forming lesions in the mouth and around the lips. In most cases, the disease is accompanied by lymphadenitis and gingivitis.
• Severe form. It manifests itself as a sharp deterioration in condition. The patient develops:
  • severe muscle pain and headaches;
  • weakness, malaise;
  • fever (up to 40°C);
  • constant nausea and vomiting;
  • signs of damage to the cervical and submandibular lymph nodes.

As the disease worsens, HSV affects the skin on the fingers and eyelids, causing conjunctivitis. The brightest rash, 25 or more pieces, is localized on the mucous membrane and surface of the lips, hard and soft palate, and in the perioral area. Herpetic stomatitis in a child, regardless of severity, occurs with such manifestations as:

• temperature rise to 38°C;
• capriciousness, irritability of the baby;
• rash on day 2-3;
• intoxication due to inflamed lymph nodes;
• gigivitis.

Due to swelling of the gums and mucous membranes, the child’s lips are always parted, causing saliva to flow out, which he cannot swallow due to pain.

After a rash followed by the opening of the blisters, painful ulcers form, the baby:

• loss of appetite;
• sleep is disturbed;
• Constantly bad, whiny mood.

Gradually, the erosions become covered with a white coating. As a result of antiseptic treatment and the ability of the mucous membrane to self-cleanse, the wounds heal and are covered with new epithelium.

Diagnosis and treatment

A doctor can diagnose the herpetic form of stomatitis. To confirm the diagnosis you will need:

• blood test for antibodies to the virus;
• examination of scrapings from the affected mucosa.

For these purposes, virological, cytological, immunological, molecular biological, and serological laboratory tests are used.

In order to determine the root cause of the disease, the doctor needs to familiarize himself with the patient’s medical history. This will help you choose the right treatment, which will shorten the period of exacerbation of the disease and increase the time period of the remission stage.

The therapeutic regimen is selected depending on the severity and stage of the disease, according to the patient’s age category, since not all medications are equally harmless. It is imperative to treat the pathology to avoid serious complications.

Stomatitis is a common disease characterized by ulceration of the oral mucosa. Herpetic stomatitis is caused by a herpes virus that previously entered the human body. The pathology develops against a background of decreased immune defense and can appear at any time. Let's consider the manifestation of the disease in adults and children, as well as possible methods of classical and non-traditional treatment.

This pathology has one main cause of formation - the herpes virus. However, there are factors that provoke the development of pathology. These include the following reasons:

• mechanical injuries to the mucous membrane;
• burns or dryness of the oral mucosa;
• poor hygiene;
• periodontal diseases;
• hormonal disorders;
• stressful situations;
• poor quality food.

Viral stomatitis can appear against the background of any disease that reduces the human immune system, for example:

You can become infected with herpes through shared utensils, contact with a sick person, and in any public place. Children under three years of age, adolescents and young adults are especially susceptible to the disease.

Primary infection is characterized by its own characteristics: an acute form of pathology develops. The disease is accompanied by hyperthermia, the general condition worsens, headache and signs of malaise appear. The patient's appetite decreases, the lymph nodes under the jaw swell, and painful sensations appear in the oral cavity. Multiple blisters form on the entire surface of the mucosa.

If the acute form of the pathology is not cured, the disease will take a recurrent form and will constantly appear. Chronic stomatitis is characterized by periodic relapses that appear against the background of a weakening of the body's defenses. That is, the infection is in a “dormant state” until conditions are favorable.

Note! Herpetic stomatitis can occur due to the use of toothpaste with sodium lauryl sulfate.

Let us consider the symptoms characteristic of acute and chronic forms of herpetic stomatitis, as well as the features of the manifestation of pathology with varying degrees of damage to mucosal tissues.

Acute form - symptoms

Acute herpetic stomatitis is characterized by a latent incubation period of several days. The disease does not manifest itself in any way, then an instant change in the condition of the mucous membrane occurs - swelling, redness, ulceration, hyperthermia. Ulcers can appear not only on the oral mucosa, but also on the surface of the ears, nose and even on the eyelids. A distinctive sign is uncontrolled salivation and a putrid odor. Healing and restoration of the integrity of the mucous membrane occurs in a couple of weeks.

The acute form is characterized by enlarged lymph nodes, which can be noticeable already during the incubation period. does not go away immediately after healing from stomatitis, but after a couple of weeks. When the pathology manifests itself, the patient feels severe pain and burning in the areas where the ulcers are located. Ulcers form instead of burst blisters and resemble aphtha in their shape - sometimes herpetic stomatitis is called aphthous.

The disease can occur in various manifestations and forms:

1. light;
2. average;
3. heavy.

A mild form of the pathology is characterized by swelling, pain, rashes, and a slight increase in temperature. The average form manifests itself with toxic damage to the body and can occur against the background of a sore throat. In this case, the patient feels severe malaise, a general decrease in body tone, and a severe headache. The temperature can rise to 39. Ulceration affects the entire oral mucosa, eating is difficult or impossible. It is difficult for a person to speak, the movement of the tongue in the mouth causes pain and severe discomfort, salivation cannot be controlled.

The severe form is characterized by hyperthermia, the temperature can reach 40 degrees. The patient's condition is critical.

Treatment of the acute stage

The pathology may manifest itself within three weeks, or may disappear immediately after the start of treatment. This depends on the immune status of the body and the presence/absence of severe diseases of the internal organs. The treatment regimen consists of two stages:

1. general therapy;
2. local therapy.

For general therapy, the following medications are prescribed:

• Zovirax;
• acyclovir;
• bonafton.

For intramuscular injections, deoxyribonuclease is used. The treatment regimen also includes antihistamines if the patient suffers from allergic reactions. In some cases, herpes can greatly weaken the body, and it responds with allergies to food or drug components.

To strengthen the immune system, multivitamin complexes and immunomodulators are prescribed. If complications occur, metronidazole is prescribed. Patients are also prescribed a diet rich in minerals and vitamins, which promotes speedy healing.

Local therapy

Local therapy includes measures to eliminate visible symptoms of pathology. For example, applications to the tongue using a tampon soaked in leukocyte interferon. Applications are applied up to six times a day.

• helepinova;
• tebrophenic acid;
• Gossypol liniment.

Important! The ointment must be applied not only to the affected surface, but also to adjacent areas of the mucous membrane.

Before eating, local anesthesia must be administered using special aerosols or. In this case, the patient will not experience pain while chewing food.

The treatment regimen includes the use of enzymes in the form of solutions: they have antiviral properties and inhibit the activity of herpes. These include lysomidase and deoxyribonuclease. The dose of use will be indicated by the doctor.

To eliminate the virus from the surface of the mucous membrane, use antiseptic rinses with chloramine, furatsilin or hydrogen peroxide. These remedies help to quickly get rid of painful sensations.

For the speedy healing of ulcers and erosions, regenerating oil products are used: sea buckthorn and rosehip oil, fat-soluble vitamins A and E.

Physiotherapeutic procedures must be completed daily until acute herpetic stomatitis in adults is completely healed. They help to quickly eliminate the activity of the virus and eliminate symptoms.

Chronic form - symptoms and therapy

The herpes virus remains in the body fluids forever. Chronic pathology appears as a consequence of untreated stomatitis in the acute phase against the background of a decrease in the protective forces of the immune system. Provoking factors may be:

• colds;
• stress, overwork;
• viral infections and hypothermia;
• diseases of a general somatic nature.

Injury to the mucous membrane, dehydration of the mucous membrane, and increased insolation can also provoke aggression of the virus. Exacerbation of chronic stomatitis is provoked by the patient’s poor nutrition, lifestyle and weakened immune status.

Relapses can occur up to six times a year, sometimes several times a month. Basically, chronic stomatitis is activated in the off-season, but can appear under any favorable conditions. Unlike the primary stage, the chronic form is not characterized by hyperthermia, bleeding from the gums and enlarged lymph nodes. The disease occurs with general malaise.

When the disease manifests itself, swelling of the mucous membrane occurs, vesicles appear, which subsequently form erosions with a yellowish coating. If blisters often appear in a certain place, this pathology is called fixed herpetic stomatitis. Healing occurs in 9-10 days, no scars remain at the site of erosion. Chronic herpetic stomatitis must be distinguished from allergic, aphthous and streptococcal.

Treatment

Therapy methods are aimed at increasing the protective immune forces to overcome the disease. The drug levamisole helps accelerate the onset of remission and eliminates the symptoms of the pathology. If symptoms of herpetic stomatitis appear, you should be examined for the localization of inflammatory processes in the body, since exacerbation occurs as a consequence of a general health disorder.

Note! Self-treatment of the herpes virus is unacceptable.

The treatment plan includes:

• taking ascorbic acid;
• gamma globulin injections;
• physiotherapeutic procedures.

At home, the patient should use ointments and applications prescribed by the doctor. After eliminating the symptoms of stomatitis, you can get vaccinated against herpes, which significantly increases the resistance of the immune system against this type of virus.

Herpetic stomatitis in children

Most often, herpetic stomatitis appears in children from six months to three years of age. The culprit of the disease is the herpes virus, transmitted through communication with an infected adult or another child. In children's government institutions, there are outbreaks of a virus epidemic that infects an entire group or several groups of children at once.

The inflammatory process on the mucous membrane is a reaction of the immune system to virus cells that are actively trying to spread on the epithelial surface. The inflammatory process around the “bubbles” prevents further penetration of viral cells into the cells of the human body.

The pathology is characterized by the severity of its course. Babies can develop mild or severe forms of the disease. In mild cases, the child’s temperature may rise slightly (up to 37.5), the mucous membrane swells, and groups of white bubbles appear. Sometimes lymphocytosis may appear. After two days, the symptoms disappear and health is restored.

The average form of the pathology is characterized by intoxication of the body - the child develops weakness, loss of appetite, moodiness and obvious signs of malaise. Although the temperature may be subfebrile (up to 37.5), the child’s health is unsatisfactory. With this form of pathology, there is a noticeable increase in the submandibular lymph nodes. Often these symptoms are accompanied by ARVI and sore throat.

A severe form of the pathology is characterized by the presence of catarrhal inflammation with a high temperature (up to 39). The child's face turns pale, nausea and headache begin, gums bleed and viscous drool flows profusely. The mucous membrane is swollen, with multiple foci of inflammation located on it.

Herpetic rashes in severe form can be localized not only in the oral cavity, but also on the lips, eyelids, nose and even fingers. This pathology can only be treated in a hospital setting, since the virus has spread to the organs of the body.

Treatment of children

The course of therapy is aimed at strengthening the child’s immune forces. Parents should review their baby's diet and include healthy foods in it. Much attention is paid to fresh fruits and vegetables. Vitamins should be in age-specific doses determined by the pediatrician. Before eating, the baby’s mouth should be numbed with anesthetic solutions so that chewing food does not cause pain and tears. Otherwise, the child will refuse to eat.

Also, food should be in puree or liquid form, since solid pieces of food cause pain. During illness, drinking plenty of fluids is recommended - boiled water, freshly squeezed juices, compotes and jelly. Abundant intake of fluid into the body cleanses the blood and lymph of viral toxins. If the child has stopped producing gastric juice, a substitute is given.

In addition to taking medications, the child is given local treatment, which eliminates the visible symptoms of herpetic stomatitis. The use of oxolinic and tebrofen ointments, solutions of neoferon and interferon is indicated. These medications not only treat the affected areas, but also prevent the appearance of new rashes on the mucous membrane. After eliminating the pathological manifestations, antiviral drugs are not used.

To accelerate the regeneration of affected tissues, oil solutions are used - rose hips, sea buckthorn, vitamin A or E, methyluracil. To strengthen local immunity (the mucous membrane itself), the drug imudon is used.

Folk remedies

How did our grandmothers treat the disease when modern medicines were not at hand? To eliminate visible symptoms (ulcers), the following methods are used:

• hydrogen peroxide;
• lemon juice;
• soda solution;
• ascorbic acid;
• alcohol.

How to use hydrogen peroxide? To do this, you need to moisten a piece of bandage in the solution, squeeze it out and wrap it around your finger. It should be remembered that peroxide can easily cause burns to the mucous membrane, so do not overdose. You can use peroxide to treat mucous membranes for no more than five days.

Gargling with soda is an old effective method of combating oral problems. You need to rinse frequently - at least five times a day. To do this, dissolve a teaspoon of powder in a cup of non-hot water.

Citric acid destroys the virus. To do this, squeeze a little juice from the fruit and moisten a cotton pad. Apply the disc to the affected areas several times a day.

Lemon juice can be replaced with ascorbic acid. To do this, crush a couple of tablets or dissolve them in a cup of warm water. As with lemon juice, treat the affected surface with a cotton pad soaked in the solution.

Alcohol is used when the virus appears on the outer surface of the lip. You need to cauterize the pimples with a cotton pad soaked in alcohol: it will dry out the virus and prevent it from spreading to neighboring areas of the skin.

Important! Traditional methods help well at the beginning of the spread of infection. If there is no improvement within three days, you need to make an appointment with a doctor.

To regenerate mucosal tissue, you can use freshly squeezed cabbage and carrot juices diluted in warm water (1:1). You need to rinse your mouth with juices throughout the day until improvement occurs.

The well-known chamomile, calendula, sage, and oak bark have an antiseptic effect. The infusion is prepared according to the recipe on the packaging box.

Onion peels have a radical cleansing effect. For infusion, you need to brew a handful of washed husks with half a liter of boiling water and leave until the morning. Rinse your mouth with the strained solution. A side effect of this treatment will be stained tooth enamel, but this will soon go away.

Healing applications

To quickly get rid of the symptoms of an unpleasant disease, you need to carry out applications. For this use:

• Kalanchoe/aloe juice;
• potato juice.

Important! Before using apitherapy, check the body’s reaction to honey to see if there is an allergy.

Beekeeping products actively fight all types of fungi, viruses and bacteria. Honey and propolis are effective remedies for healing many ailments. Honey has an anti-inflammatory and regenerating effect on epithelial tissue, eliminates itching and burning.

To cure herpetic stomatitis in adults, you need to suck a teaspoon of honey every couple of hours. This is a painful procedure and is therefore not suitable for children. You can also dissolve honey in warm water and rinse your mouth.

Kalanchoe and aloe are centuries-tested healers. You can simply chew the leaves throughout the day, or you can apply the juice to the affected areas. Moisten the gauze and apply to the tongue, gums or other places.

Potato applications are completely painless, so they can be used to treat children. To do this, the fruit is grated and applied to the area where the ulcers accumulate. Instead of raw mass, you can apply thin potato slices for 12-15 minutes.

Preventive measures

Herpetic stomatitis in a child can be prevented by comprehensively strengthening his immune system, keeping his hands and mouth clean, and limiting contact with strangers. If adults become ill, their dishes should be separated from the common ones and should not be allowed to come into contact with the baby. Regular intake of multivitamin complexes and a nutritious diet will help protect the body from the activity of the virus: a lack of certain microelements provokes the growth of virus cells in the body.

Prevention of herpetic stomatitis in adults is thorough sanitation of the oral cavity and timely treatment of internal diseases. Often the herpes virus is activated during ailments such as gastrointestinal diseases, anemia, nervous disorders and hormonal imbalances. There is no antiviral vaccine for herpes, so health care rests entirely with the individual’s consciousness. Always wash your hands, sanitize your mouth, give up bad habits and cure chronic illnesses - anyone can do this for the benefit of their health.

Bottom line

The undetected herpes virus is present in the body of a healthy person. The insidiousness of herpes manifests itself under conditions favorable to it - a decrease in the body’s immune defense due to stress and illness. To disarm the virus, it is necessary to strengthen the immune system, avoid stressful situations and maintain cleanliness.

If you accidentally injure the mucous membrane - a burn, a bite, an unsuitable denture - you must immediately disinfect the oral cavity with sanitizing solutions. Pathogenic bacteria immediately accumulate on the affected area of ​​the mucosa and begin to reduce local immunity. Sodium lauryl sulfate, which is included in some rinses and toothpastes, dries out the mucous membrane - this also reduces local immunity.

Acute herpetic stomatitis in infants can appear during teething, as the mucous membrane is injured. It is necessary to carefully monitor the baby's mouth and immediately help when the first signs of pathology appear. At the very beginning of the disease, traditional methods of treatment can help - lotions, rinses and applications of herbs and vegetable juices.

One of the most unpleasant manifestations of herpes infection is viral stomatitis. This is a chronic recurrent disease of the oral cavity associated with infection of the body with type 1 herpesvirus.

When does herpes stomatitis occur in adults?

Primary manifestations of herpetic lesions of the oral cavity occur at the time of the first encounter with the herpes virus and occur against a background of weakened immunity. This is the acute phase of the disease; over time it becomes chronic.

As a rule, the acute period of the disease proceeds according to the standard pattern:

1. Incubation (hidden) period. Its duration rarely exceeds three weeks. During this period, there are still no signs of the disease, but the virus has already become active and is multiplying rapidly.
2. The phase of catarrhal manifestations lasts 2-24 hours, characterized by the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease.
3. The phase of the highest activity of the virus lasts from two to four days and is characterized by maximum clinical manifestations.
4. The subsidence of the pathological process continues for another three to four days, due to the immune response to the presence of the virus in the body.
5. Restoration of damaged tissue (regeneration) occurs within three to nine days.

Specific antibodies produced upon first contact with the herpes virus keep it “in check,” transferring the pathological process into remission. But this does not mean that the infection has been defeated. For a long time, herpetic DNA can remain in the cells of nerve fibers, integrating into their genetic material and waiting for the immunity to weaken, when it will be possible to actively reproduce and conquer new frontiers.

Reactivation (relapse) of herpesvirus infection can occur against the background of:

• Hormonal cyclical fluctuations in women
• Dehydration
• Damage to the oral mucosa
• Insufficient hygienic oral care
• Avitaminosis, malnutrition
• Poorly manufactured dentures
• Severe hypothermia
• Applications of Chemotherapy
• Insufficient moisture in the oral mucosa.

In addition, the cause of relapse may be excessive attention to oral hygiene and prolonged use of toothpaste that contains sodium lauryl sulfate.

During the entire acute period, when elements of a herpetic rash are present on the mucous membrane, the patient is infectious to others. The herpes virus, together with saliva particles, can be transmitted to other people through household and airborne transmission mechanisms. You should always remember this when protecting your household and loved ones from possible infection. For this purpose, the patient is advised to avoid close contact with relatives and to use individual accessories at home.

Features of the course of the acute form of viral stomatitis

Depending on the degree of weakening of the immune system, exacerbations of viral stomatitis can occur with varying intensity of clinical symptoms.

A mild course is characterized by the absence of deterioration in the general condition, minor manifestations of catarrhal phenomena in the upper respiratory tract, severe hyperemia and swelling of the oral mucosa (gingival margin), the formation of single or small groups of bubbles, without a tendency to further spread.

Moderate herpetic stomatitis in adults occurs against the background of clearly expressed signs of intoxication with general weakness and increasing malaise. Multiple rashes are detected on the oral mucosa, and the body temperature rises to low-grade levels.

The severe form of stomatitis of a viral nature is distinguished by severe intoxication with diarrhea and vomiting, attacks of fever up to forty degrees, total damage to the oral mucosa with multiple rashes that tend to drain.

After bubbles filled with transparent exudate have formed on the surface of the mouth, the course of herpetic stomatitis follows the following scenario.

Over the next one or two days, the contents of the bubbles become cloudy.

After two days, the elements of the rash open, leaving behind isolated bleeding erosions.

In a short time, a febrinous coating of a yellowish or whitish tint forms on their surface, which ensures epithelization of the ulcers.

Sometimes elements of a herpetic rash with stomatitis spread to the border of the lips and the adjacent skin, and swelling and hyperemia spread to the gingival papillae and the marginal areas of the gums around the teeth.

Features of the course of the chronic form of viral stomatitis

If there is a relapse of chronic herpetic infection, manifested in the form of viral stomatitis, then along with its characteristic symptoms, joint pain, emotional instability, general weakness and loss of appetite may appear.

Occasionally, an exacerbation is accompanied by a rise in body temperature to 38.5 degrees.

Just like the acute form of herpes stomatitis, the chronic form is divided into three degrees of severity, based on the frequency and intensity of exacerbations.

A mild form of the pathology is characterized by exacerbations that occur no more than twice a year and are accompanied by the appearance of single erosions.

A moderately severe course of viral stomatitis is said to occur when the disease recurs two to four times a year, with the manifestation of general symptoms.

A severe form of the process is characterized by a continuous exacerbation of the process with periods of wave-like intensification of symptoms and their gradual subsidence.

Features of the course of the disease in childhood

Most cases of stomatitis in children (about eighty percent) are due to inflammatory diseases of herpetic nature. This pathology in childhood should be considered as a manifestation of the first encounter with the herpes virus. Most often it affects babies aged from one to three years, but sometimes it can occur in babies up to one year old who are bottle-fed with formula from the first days of life.

The prodromal period of the disease is the same as in adults and lasts 2-14 days. A sick baby is characterized by anxiety, refusal to eat, and crying for no reason. An attentive mother may notice an increase in the submandibular and cervical groups of lymph nodes. In this case, the child experiences hypersalivation and a distinct odor from the mouth. Older children may exhibit symptoms characteristic of intoxication: nausea, headaches, fever. Herpetic stomatitis goes through all stages of development, but a noticeable improvement in the baby’s condition occurs only after epithelialization of erosions in the oral cavity, when the pain passes.

It is necessary to treat herpetic stomatitis under the age of those years, in contrast to adults, strictly in a hospital setting. Since local and general use of drugs requires strict medical supervision.

How to treat manifestations of herpes stomatitis

Treatment of herpetic stomatitis in adults is quite complex and requires a combination of several drugs, unlike bacterial or fungal ones, with the mandatory inclusion of general and local antiviral drugs in the regimen.

Standard treatment of herpes stomatitis in adults includes the use of the following groups of medications:

Antiviral agents. Their tablet forms are indicated for use at the very first stages of the development of herpetic symptoms, no later than the first three to four days from the onset of the disease. It is during this period that they are most effective. Later, when the elements of the rash have opened and ulcerations of the mucous membrane have appeared, their use is not justified.

The most famous drugs in this group are: valacyclovir, formciclovir, acyclovir.

Local use of medicinal substances with antiviral activity is also indicated in the first days from the onset of the disease and should be combined with general antiviral treatment. Miramistin is most effective in this case. To rinse the mouth, use its solution, repeating the procedure four times a day, with a duration of one minute. After completing the rinsing, the mucous membrane is dried with a gauze swab and treated with Viferon-gel. The use of ointments and creams in dental practice is not justified, since these forms cannot be fixed at the site of the lesion.

Immunomodulators. This group of drugs can be used both to treat relapse of the disease and to prevent it. The most famous drug in this series is Viferon with human interferon in its composition. The gel is used topically during the period of activation of the disease, and suppositories are used as a general immunostimulating drug for the treatment and prevention of exacerbations.

This also includes immudon, amixin, and vitamin complexes.

Antihistamines. Allows you to alleviate the symptoms of the disease, relieve swelling of the mucous membrane, its itching and soreness.

Antibiotics. Prescribed for long-term, severe herpes stomatitis, in order to prevent secondary bacterial infection.

An important point in the treatment of herpetic stomatitis is proper nutrition. The diet should be designed in such a way that the body receives a full range of nutrients and vitamins.

Particular attention should be paid to the drinking regime, as drinking plenty of fluids will help quickly cope with intoxication.

To reduce pain, it is recommended to take food in liquid and semi-liquid form, and before meals use an anesthetic emulsion to numb the oral cavity.

Prevention measures

It is clear that in our world it is difficult to avoid encountering heprevirus. How to prevent infection or at least reduce exacerbations. All these preventive measures are simple and have long been known, but observing them is not so easy. To do this you need:

• Adhere to a healthy lifestyle
• Exercise hardening, activating the immune system
• Take vitamin complexes twice a year for preventive purposes, especially during the spring and autumn off-season
• Treat acute diseases in a timely manner, preventing them from becoming chronic
• Avoid hypothermia
• Monitor your oral health and practice regular hygiene
• Carry out prophylaxis with cycloferon if exacerbations become more frequent.

Herpes stomatitis is a fairly common disease. The severity of its course depends on the age at which a person acquired the virus. The older the patient, the more difficult it is for his body to fight the disease. It is worth noting the fact that the disease is often diagnosed before the age of three. In order to prevent complications, it is necessary to clearly understand what herpes stomatitis is, how it manifests itself and how you can get rid of it at a given age.

What is herpes stomatitis

Herpes (herpetic) stomatitis is a viral disease that manifests itself in the form of ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa.

The virus, once entering the body, remains in it forever. In this case, the disease may not make itself felt immediately, but after some time (this period can be calculated in years).

Along with the classic symptomatic manifestations, the disease is accompanied by a number of features that allow timely and qualitative differentiation of herpes stomatitis from other diseases:

Relationship between the disease and the herpes virus

Herpes stomatitis, of course, can be a consequence of the herpes simplex virus entering the human body, but the disease can also be provoked by other microorganisms. The virus itself is stored in the patient’s DNA, and its reproduction occurs within the epithelial layer under the influence of certain factors. First of all, it affects the mucous membranes, and then passes into the DNA of the infected person, transforming into a chronic stage.

What is stomatitis (video)

Types

There are several types of the disease.

Type	Etymology	Peculiarities
Acute herpes stomatitis	Occurs due to viral infection. A person of any age can get this disease, but most often these are children under three years of age.	Features of the course of the disease are described in three forms, determined by the severity of stomatitis. In the absence of proper treatment, acute herpes stomatitis can become chronic.
Chronic herpes stomatitis	It can recur due to mechanical damage to the mucous membrane, with weakened immunity and various bacterial and viral diseases.	The peculiarity of this type is that rashes (blisters on the mucous membrane and skin) may be the only symptom indicating the disease.

Doctor's note: the duration of herpes stomatitis is determined by the individual characteristics of the body and auxiliary drug therapy. However, on average, the onset of remission is observed approximately two weeks after the onset of exacerbation.

Routes of infection

It is customary to distinguish four main routes of infection by the virus:

• airborne. Infection occurs through the contact of the patient’s saliva with a healthy person;
• contact. In this case, infection can occur both through direct contact and through contact with household tools with which the patient interacted;
• translacental - from mother to child;
• transfusion - during the implementation of medical procedures, including the process of blood transfusion.

Causes of the disease and risk groups

It is customary to identify the following factors that increase the risk of contracting herpes stomatitis:

• violation of hygiene standards, improper oral care;
• chemotherapy;
• changes in hormonal levels in the body;
• damage, including microtrauma of the oral cavity;
• , as well as metabolic disorders, as a result of which the body cannot fully fight pathogenic agents;
• increased dryness of mucous membranes;
• use of low-quality personal hygiene products and household chemicals.

It is also worth noting that various diseases can be an excellent background for the development of herpes infection, for example:

• gastritis;
• anemia;
• tumors;
• etc.

The risk group includes:

• children aged from six months to three years;
• persons with reduced immunity.

Symptoms

The duration of the disease with proper treatment usually does not exceed two weeks. The disease develops gradually with increasing symptoms. Several stages of its development can be distinguished:

Specialist's note: every second patient with herpes stomatitis sooner or later experiences relapses, but the second time the disease occurs in a mild form, not accompanied by severe symptoms and severe intoxication.

Signs in children

If a child gets sick, it is very difficult to immediately understand what exactly is wrong with him, because he cannot independently indicate the cause of his illness. Parents should suspect stomatitis if they experience:

Diagnostic methods

As soon as blisters or ulcers are discovered in the mouth, you should immediately go to the dentist or therapist. Since the disease can be provoked by different types of microorganisms, identifying the specific type plays an important role in the fight against the virus.

In the first stages, when only redness is present in the oral cavity, the disease is easily confused with other dental problems. If there are rashes, then the range of possible diseases is immediately greatly narrowed. In making a clear diagnosis, laboratory tests are of great importance, namely:

• polymerase chain reaction;
• virological tests;
• serological studies;
• determination of the acid balance of saliva, etc.

Treatment

Treatment of herpes stomatitis includes taking vitamin complexes

Herpes stomatitis is a problem that requires complex treatment, that is, both local and general treatment are necessary. The main measures to eliminate the disease include the following:

• the oral cavity is treated with antiseptic solutions through rinsing;
• antiviral drugs are prescribed;
• in some cases, it may be necessary to use local antibiotics to prevent infection of tissues in places where they are severely damaged;
• areas of erosion are treated with wound healing and painkillers;
• To reduce the temperature and eliminate manifestations of intoxication of the body, symptomatic treatment is prescribed;
• carry out measures to increase immunity, for which special modulators or vitamin complexes can be used.

Special attention should be paid to nutrition during treatment. Since the oral mucosa is affected, it is better to avoid too hot or cold foods, spicy, salty or hard foods.

Features of treatment in children

Treatment of children is somewhat different from treatment of adult patients, especially when it comes to children. So, children still cannot rinse their mouths, so local preparations are applied to cotton pads and the affected areas are treated with them. Preference is given to the safest drugs, so some medications are often replaced with folk remedies (herbal decoctions are often used for antiseptic treatment of the oral cavity). All medications are selected taking into account the child’s age, so as not to cause harm to the growing body.

Folk remedies

In consultation with your doctor, you can also use traditional recipes for a speedy recovery:

• finely grated potatoes as a local compress help fight inflammatory processes;
• chamomile decoction for rinsing (a tablespoon of crushed and dried plant is needed per glass of water, the ingredients are boiled together in a water bath for a third of an hour);
• decoction of oak bark (prepared in the same way, but for 200 ml of liquid you need one and a half tablespoons of crushed bark).

Unconventional remedies in the fight against stomatitis (gallery)

Oak bark decoction Chamomile decoction Grated potato compress

Prevention measures

It is worth understanding that there are no direct methods of prevention that would completely eliminate the risk of stomatitis. You can only adhere to general recommendations, which improve the state of immune defense and reduce the risk of infection by pathogens. Such recommendations include:

• hardening;
• absence of bad habits;
• active lifestyle;
• sufficient exposure to fresh air;
• proper nutrition, rich in vitamins and minerals.

Doctor Komarovsky about stomatitis (video)

If you detect the first signs of herpes stomatitis, you should contact a specialist and treat the disease under his strict supervision. If treatment is not treated in a timely manner, relapses, the viral infection becoming chronic and the development of complications are possible.