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What is herpetic stomatitis?
Herpetic stomatitis is a contagious infection of the oral mucosa caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The medical term is gingivostomatitis herpetica; the rather unpleasant archaic and unprofessional term "mouth rot" stems from the condition's association with malodorous breath.
Despite herpetic stomatitis not being limited to a specific age group, it nevertheless impacts children aged between ten months and three years the most. And even though the infection tends to cause young patients considerable pain and discomfort, their parents can rest at ease knowing that herpetic stomatitis usually clears up after about a week. Fortunately, there are very rarely any complications.
Herpetic stomatitis is characterised by multiple or individual small blisters in the mouth, commonly referred to as cold sores. They can appear on the gums, tongue, lips and palate or in the throat. The blisters are filled with fluid and eventually burst. Subsequently, mucosal damage ensues with a whitish coating and red borders. The blisters and lesions typically result in discomfort while speaking and eating, thereby restricting the patient's quality of life.
How is herpetic stomatitis transmitted?
Unlike aphthae, the blisters that appear with herpetic stomatitis are highly contagious. Hence, the most prevalent cause of herpetic stomatitis is the transmission of the virus from one person to another through tiny droplets of saliva. The viruses contained therein are expelled through sneezing or coughing, for example. Droplet dispersal when speaking normally might also be sufficient to spread the disease from person to person.
Herpetic stomatitis is particularly widespread in nurseries, where it can also be easily transmitted to objects and surfaces, such as toys. This is referred to as a smear infection. In this case, the child's hands touch the mouth, pick up saliva and subsequently transfer it onto a toy. Herpetic stomatitis is highly contagious during acute stages when the blisters in the mouth burst. This is the moment when the highly infectious fluid is released and mixes with saliva. How long is herpetic stomatitis contagious for? As a general rule, the risk of contamination diminishes only once all the blisters have dried up.
Infected: When does the disease break out?
Individuals who have contracted herpetic stomatitis typically experience symptoms within the following two to twelve days. This is what is known as the incubation period, signifying the time it takes for the disease to manifest.
During the initial stages, affected individuals, mostly children, usually exhibit general symptoms of illness along with a high temperature. These symptoms can occur even before the oral mucosa is visibly inflamed. It is common for the gums to swell up before the painful inflammation in the mouth becomes evident.
Duration of herpetic stomatitis: How long does it take for the disease to go away?
Unfortunately, there is no universal answer to this question. The duration of the disease varies depending on a range of factors in both adults and children, such as the patient's immune system and the type of medication used to treat the problem. In general, however, the chances of self-healing are usually high. In such cases, the blisters tend to dry up and heal without leaving any scars, even when left untreated. Many people naturally wonder how long this will take. As a rough guide, herpetic stomatitis should typically resolve on its own within about a week.
Good to know:
Herpetic stomatitis is usually caused by a herpes virus. Many individuals unknowingly carry the virus without any symptoms following an often asymptomatic initial infection and continue to do so throughout their lives. When the immune system or our mental state is compromised – such as during times of stress – the virus can potentially reactivate. This is when the well-known cold sore (herpes simplex labialis) develops.
What causes herpetic stomatitis? Possible factors
As previously mentioned, the herpes simplex virus type 1 serves as the trigger for herpetic stomatitis. There are, however, various factors that can favour the onset of the disease. Inflammation, for instance, often indicates a compromised immune system or a poor nutritional state.
And there are certain risk groups that demonstrate higher susceptibility to herpetic stomatitis, too. These include patients who:
- Have an HIV infection or are suffering from AIDS.
- Are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
- Are being treated with immunosuppressants.
Herpetic stomatitis might also be linked to:
- Systemic diseases
- Flu-like infections
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Hormonal fluctuations in the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy or puberty
- Chemicals, poisoning and medication (e.g. when administering antibiotics)
What are the symptoms associated with herpetic stomatitis?
You have already learned about some of the characteristic symptoms that can be associated with herpetic stomatitis. Typically, the infectious disease begins with a high temperature, followed by swelling of the mucosa, leading to the formation of blisters and painful inflammation of the mucosa. The severity of symptoms differs, of course, from person to person. Herpetic stomatitis can, for example, also break out without a high temperature.
The following list provides you with an overview of all the possible symptoms that can occur in connection with herpetic stomatitis:
- Swollen and reddened oral mucosa
- Individual to multiple painful ulcers and blisters around the mouth, as well as on the lips, oral mucosa, gums and/or palate
- Burning sensation when eating
- Dehydration and malnutrition due to difficulty eating and drinking
- Fever
- Generally feeling unwell
- Acidic, foul smell from the mouth
- Swollen cervical lymph nodes
- Nausea and vomiting
Do you have one or more of these symptoms? Or do you suspect your child has herpetic stomatitis? In such cases, it is best to consult a doctor who can provide the appropriate diagnosis and suggest suitable treatment options. Try not to feel overly concerned by the many online images of herpetic stomatitis. Based on such images, it is not possible – especially not for laypersons – to make any statement about your own or your child's health and well-being.
Moreover, herpetic stomatitis might resemble other conditions like oral thrush, particularly in photos, making self-diagnosis somewhat risky. So, if you are uncertain, always consult an expert. Sometimes a high temperature and whining and crying could simply be attributed to an erupting tooth, as teething can be particularly painful for some children.
The following list provides you with an overview of all the possible symptoms that can occur in connection with herpetic stomatitis:
- Swollen and reddened oral mucosa
- Individual to multiple painful ulcers and blisters around the mouth, as well as on the lips, oral mucosa, gums and/or palate
- Burning sensation when eating
- Dehydration and malnutrition due to difficulty eating and drinking
- Fever
- Generally feeling unwell
- Acidic, foul smell from the mouth
- Swollen cervical lymph nodes
- Nausea and vomiting
Do you have one or more of these symptoms? Or do you suspect your child has herpetic stomatitis? In such cases, it is best to consult a doctor who can provide the appropriate diagnosis and suggest suitable treatment options. Try not to feel overly concerned by the many online images of herpetic stomatitis. Based on such images, it is not possible – especially not for laypersons – to make any statement about your own or your child's health and well-being.
Moreover, herpetic stomatitis might resemble other conditions like oral thrush, particularly in photos, making self-diagnosis somewhat risky. So, if you are uncertain, always consult an expert. Sometimes a high temperature and whining and crying could simply be attributed to an erupting tooth, as teething can be particularly painful for some children.
