Stomatitis is a common childhood illness that can be caused by infectious agents. Starting from the age of six months, the child is at risk of contracting such a type of stomatitis as herpes.
What is it?
This is the name of the stomatitis caused by the herpes virus. It manifests itself as inflammatory elements in the form of vesicles on the mucous membrane in the mouth. Also, this disease is called herpetic stomatitis.
Symptoms
Often, this type of stomatitis occurs in a child much more acutely than in adulthood. The incubation period lasts on average 2-7 days. Parents notice that the child is lethargic, drowsy, weak, complains of headaches, and has lost his appetite. Further, the child's temperature may rise (in many children, the temperature can reach 40 degrees), the mucous membrane of the mouth becomes a little swollen, and the submandibular lymph nodes increase.
Then the oral mucosa becomes covered with bubbles, inside of which there is a clear liquid. Such bubbles can be single, but are more often presented in groups. Over time, their contents become cloudy, and the bubbles themselves begin to burst with the formation of ulcers, which become covered with a whitish coating.
This process is very painful and burning. The child cries, behaves restlessly, cannot sleep, eat, talk. The baby's gums may become inflamed, saliva production increases, and an unpleasant odor appears from the oral cavity. A blistering rash on the skin of the face may also occur.
The disease lasts an average of two weeks. Re-infection is possible, but each subsequent herpes stomatitis is easier.
Causes
The main cause of the disease is infection with the herpes virus. This virus is quite common and highly contagious, so there is a risk of infection for a child in kindergarten, at a visit, on a walk, in transport and in other places. The virus can be transmitted by contact, airborne droplets and through blood.
The following factors will contribute to infection:
- Weakening of the child's immunity.
- Injuries to the oral mucosa.
- Poor oral hygiene.
- Imbalance in nutrition.
- Hypothermia.
Forms
Most often, such stomatitis develops in children aged one to three years.
Herpes
Depending on the course of the disease, herpes stomatitis is mild, when the only manifestations of the pathology are bubbles, which appear in small quantities on the mucous membrane and heal quickly.
With an average severity of the disease, the child has more pronounced symptoms and a greater number of bubbles. If the baby's body temperature has increased significantly, he has a large number of inflammatory elements, there are headaches and other symptoms, this form of the disease is called severe.
Herpangina
This is the name of a form of herpes infection that affects the mucous membrane of the throat. The disease is manifested by the appearance in the throat of multiple whitish sores, fever, weakness, sore throat, chills. In addition to the herpes virus, enteroviruses can also cause this disease. In most cases, herpangina disappears without a trace in a few days (from 3 to 10), but some children have complications that affect the nervous system, heart, lungs and other organs.
Diagnostics
To make a diagnosis, the doctor interviews the parents and examines the child. The bubbles found on the mucous membrane help to make sure that the child really has herpes stomatitis. However, for confirmation, you can also use a serological study (RIF, PCR).
Treatment
Since the disease is highly contagious, a child with herpes stomatitis should be isolated from other children. The room in which he will stay should be constantly ventilated. The kid should be given a separate towel and their own dishes.
A pediatrician should treat this type of stomatitis, so do not hesitate to see a doctor, especially if the child's condition has deteriorated. Usually, your doctor will recommend an antiviral drug that works against the herpes virus.
Local treatment will focus on speedy healing of ulcers and pain relief. To do this, use analgesic gels and frequent rinsing. For rinsing, antiseptic preparations and herbal decoctions are used. With moderate to severe severity, drugs are also prescribed to strengthen the immune system.
Diet
All food that you will give to the child should not be irritating to the mucous membrane. This means that everything sour, spicy, hard, hot and salty is temporarily excluded from the baby's menu. Give him liquid meals, while choosing high-calorie foods that the child loves, so that the food gives the baby the energy to recover.
Make sure to also provide your baby with a sufficient amount of water, because with the release of saliva and fever, children lose a lot of fluids with herpes stomatitis. Just keep in mind that the drink should not be hot. After each meal, the child must rinse his mouth, and parents must make sure that there are no more food residues in the baby's mouth.
Prevention
To prevent infection with the herpes virus from adults, the following conditions must be met:
- Frequent hand washing;
- Limiting contact with sick people;
- Avoiding injuries and burns of the mucous membrane;
- Strengthening the child's immunity;
- Adequate intake of vitamins.
