Herpetic stomatitis in children: causes, symptoms and treatment

Herpetic( viral) stomatitis is a dental disease that manifests itself in the form of painful ulcers on the mucous membrane of the mouth and lips.

At the moment, there are practically no people in the blood of which this virus was not detected. According to statistics herpetic stomatitis at least once in a lifetime 90% of the world's population were sick.

Once in the body, the herpes virus remains in the blood forever, most often popping in the mouth, in the tongue and on the lips. If the human immunity is strong, then the virus can "sit" in the body for life and not show itself. However, with a decrease in the defenses of the body, the disease will immediately "come out" outward.

To aggravation of the disease can cause hypothermia or vice versa overheating of the body. In both cases, the body's defenses are greatly reduced.

Why does the herpes virus attack your child?

If a child has contracted a herpes virus, this does not mean that he will develop a stomatitis in his mouth. The most common cause of its occurrence is a decrease in the body's defenses.

There are cases when children become infected with herpes at a time when they are ill with some other disease or immediately after recovery.

Quite often, the cause of the development of viral stomatitis in children is not herpes itself, but any existing dental diseases, for example, caries, inflammation of the gums or periodontal tissues.

At the moment, dentists identify the following predisposing factors for the development of stomatitis:

• the presence of wounds, burns or scratches on the mucosa in the oral cavity;
• drying of the oral mucosa during dehydration;
• violation of oral hygiene;
• violations during the installation of dentures;
• compliance with a strict diet, vitamin deficiency, micronutrient deficiency;
• pathology of the endocrine sphere;
• course of chemotherapy;
• the presence of concomitant pathologies, such as gastritis, malignant tumors, anemia. AIDS.

According to some data, the development of herpetic stomatitis in children may be triggered by the use of too aggressive toothpaste for adults.

How is transmitted viral stomatitis

Herpetic stomatitis is an extremely contagious disease. To "catch" a virus a child can through anything: hygiene items, toys, utensils, etc. And anywhere: on the street, in a cafe, in a kindergarten, school, home or medical institutions.

The herpes virus can be transmitted by airborne, by contact or through the blood. Quite often children become infected with sore stomatitis during contact with animals, since pets often carry the virus under the fur. Or on mucous membranes.

Children with the age of less than six months face it most often. Sometimes the herpes virus causes whole epidemics in the gardens and schools.

Special features of

A distinctive symptom of viral stomatitis from other types of stomatitis is multiple rashes on the oral mucosa. Usually they look like a bubble filled with liquid.

This liquid contains a huge amount of herpes virus. These bubbles can, how to accumulate, and be scattered one at a time. Their dimensions can also vary.

When an acute form of the disease a person feels a strong general weakness. Children suffering from viral stomatitis, constantly crying and capricious.

Many patients with this disease increase lymph nodes, and the rashes go to the face area. If a child is infected by a virus from an animal, then all the symptoms can be increased by pain in the joints, and symptoms of intoxication.

Symptoms depending on the stage

With timely diagnosis and proper treatment, viral stomatitis can be eliminated in 2 weeks. This disease is characterized by a slow development, as the symptoms gradually increase.

Symptoms of herpetic stomatitis depending on the stage of the disorder:

1. The first stage of .A slight increase in body temperature. Quite often this feature goes unnoticed. Redness of the oral mucosa and the appearance of small bubbles in the mouth. Most often they are localized in the area between the lip and the gums.
2. The second stage is .Body temperature increases to 38 degrees. There is weakness, apathy, headaches. The rash spreads to other areas, in some areas bleeding ulcers are formed.
3. In the third stage of , body temperature rises to 39 degrees, the rash can spread all over the face. In addition, the patient is usually accompanied by bleeding from the nasal cavity, difficulty in swallowing, cramps and pain in the muscles.

Acute and chronic form of disorder

What is the difference in the course of the disease in acute and chronic forms?

Acute virus picked up - to live normally discontinued

As a rule, acute herpetic stomatitis develops in children who for the first time in their life encountered the herpes virus. This form of the disease is inherent in children of the youngest age. Chronic stomatitis is a relapsing form of the disease.

It should be noted that the main source of infection of babies is the mother of the child and his close relatives, who constantly kiss the baby, lick the spoon, and then feed it again. Herpetic stomatitis in infants occurs, as well as in adults.

Acute viral stomatitis is the primary herpetic infection. Most often it occurs in children aged from six months to 3 years.

This phenomenon is explained by the fact that at this age the child loses antibodies to the virus obtained with the mother's milk. In 90% of children, the symptoms of acute stomatitis are not pronounced, while the remaining 10% of the disease is very difficult.

Chronic course of violation

Since after a single disease, the herpes virus remains in the body for life, there is always a high risk of recurrence and manifestation of stomatitis in the mouth and lips. Most often, it occurs when the body is weakened. The impetus to the development of chronic viral stomatitis can become:

• hypothermia, cold;
• nutrient deficiency;
• allergic reactions;
• stress;
• use of drugs that adversely affect the immune system;
• exacerbation of ENT diseases;
• oral injuries;
• presence of foci of infections in the oral cavity;
• breathing through the mouth.

Chronic herpes stomatitis proceeds, as well as acute. The only difference is the absence of intoxication in the chronic form of the disease.

Diagnosis of the disease

It is usually not difficult to diagnose a dentist, although in some cases, patients still have to undergo certain procedures.

First of all, the doctor must find out whether the child has previously had a herpes virus. To this end, doctors usually carefully study the child's medical record.

After this, the specialist should evaluate the nature of the lesions of the oral mucosa. In addition, the dentist should ask parents how the disease went before appealing to the hospital.

By making conclusions from the examination, records in the medical record and complaints of the patient, the doctor will be able to determine the type of the virus that caused stomatitis, the form of the disease, the nature of the flow, and the stage at which it is located.

If this is not enough the doctor can assign a cytological, virological and immune examination to the patient. Only after this, the dentist prescribes treatment and monitors the dynamics of the course of the disease.

Complex of therapeutic measures

Methods of treatment of herpes stomatitis in children are the same as in adults. The difference can only be in the dosage of drugs.

Principles of therapy

Treatment of stomatitis is antiviral and general. However, to achieve the best results, it is recommended to combine these methods.

Antiviral treatment of the herpes virus on the lips and in the mouth includes the following principles:

• treatment of the disease with the appearance of its first signs;
• antiviral drugs should be applied not only locally to the affected areas, but also to the entire oral mucosa;
• use antiviral medications need at least 3-5 times a day;
• with the extinction of the symptoms of the disease antiviral drugs are canceled.

General treatment consists of:

• enrichment of the body with vitamins and microelements;
• elimination of toxins;
• use of antiviral agents in the form of tablets or injections;
• use of antihistamines;
• with the consent of the pediatrician - taking drugs that stimulate immunity.

Assignment and administration of

Drugs prescribed for therapy with stomatitis:

1. To treat discomfort during meals , doctors prescribe pain medications such as Stomatin, Lidocaine, Benzocaine.
2. To eliminate inflammation of , the doctor usually prescribes Holisap, Cameton, Pinosol.
3. In addition, the dentist can prescribe drugs that stimulate both internal and local immunity of .These drugs can be used either orally or locally.
4. As antiviral drug for stomatitis in children, Acyclovir is most often prescribed.
5. Inside, vitamins are often prescribed, for example, Alphabet or Elevit.
6. As an immunomodulator , Anaferon, Immunal and Viferon are used.
7. With the consent of the attending physician, it is possible to use homeopathic remedies, various decoctions and tinctures of .So good results in the treatment of the disease showed chamomile, sage, linden and mother.

Possible complications and complications of

It is proven that children even without treatment are able to recover within 10-12 days. However, taking medications can speed up this process somewhat.

In addition, refusal to eat due to painful sensations during chewing can lead to dehydration. Loss of body weight and as a consequence, even greater deterioration of immunity.

Not many know, but the herpes virus can negatively affect the human nerve fibers. All this as a result can lead to partial or complete paralysis, severe CNS pathologies.

The best treatment is its lack of

Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely protect the child from the herpes virus. However, if the infection still occurred, you need to do everything possible to keep the virus in an inactive form. To do this, you must carefully observe the rules of hygiene.

If a child has an acute form of herpetic stomatitis, he should separate a dish. This will help prevent the spread of the virus to other family members. In the presence of herpes on the lips it is not recommended to kiss the child or to contact him physically.

And most importantly - strengthening immunity, which consists of adequate sleep and rest, proper nutrition, exercise, moderate exposure to the sun. With good protective forces of the body, a child can avoid not only stomatitis, but also many other diseases.