Herpes in the mouth is a very common disease that has been encountered by millions of people around the world. In most of them, it is present in the body in a latent form, but with certain factors, such as a decrease in immunity, herpes is activated. Despite the fact that the disease does not pose a serious threat to human life and health, it nevertheless causes severe discomfort.
Herpes Definition
Herpes is the first type of viral disease that appears in the oral cavity - in the palate, tongue, or mucous membrane. This is a contagious disease that can affect both adults and children. It manifests itself in the form of vesicles and small sores, which cause pain and severe discomfort. Herpes in the child's mouth passes in a more acute form. With age, it is activated under the influence of third-party reasons, which will be discussed later.
Below is a photo of herpes in the mouth for visual reference.
Types of herpetic stomatitis
The herpes virus is divided into acute and chronic.
Acute is the most common form of the disease. This type occurs during primary infection and is very common in young children. It is characterized by a rapid manifestation of symptoms, a rapid course of the disease and an early cure.
This type of disease, in turn, is divided into the following subgroups:
- mild - in this case, there are no obvious signs, except for a small swelling of the oral mucosa. As a rule, this form appears in a person with good immunity;
- medium - you can see all the main symptoms of the disease, although it proceeds quickly enough and does not leave scars;
- severe - abundant rashes are observed, sometimes inflammation of the lymph nodes can be detected. Occurs rarely, mainly in children with weakened immunity. It is characterized by a severe course of the disease with the addition of third-party infections. Requires observation in a hospital.
Chronic. Since after the disease, the herpes virus remains in the body forever, then with reduced immunity, the signs begin to appear again. Many experts point to the important role of the immune system in the development of the disease.
The form of the disease that occurs in a person depends only on his immunity. Below is a photo of herpes in the mouth in adults.
Causes of occurrence
It is commonly believed that you can get herpes only by contact with another person. In fact, this is one of the main reasons. The herpes virus in the mouth can appear from non-compliance with hygiene, the use of one dish, from kisses and just communicating with the patient. The risk of infection is especially high in people who have not had herpes before. For this reason, the virus does not receive resistance of the immune system and is fixed in the body, causing symptoms of the disease of varying severity. Herpes in the child's mouth often appears from parents.
In addition to infection by contact with a sick person, there are other reasons for its occurrence. But they are all related to the work of immunity.
These include:
- weakened immunity;
- colds;
- inferior rest;
- stress
- physical exercise;
- Unhealthy Lifestyle;
- pregnancy;
- operations;
- various injuries of the oral cavity, including during dental procedures.
Symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of herpes in the mouth in adults and children are very similar and depend on the severity of the disease. The appearance of signs takes place in several stages:
- First, a state of general malaise arises - weakness, drowsiness, fever. Moreover, the heavier the form of herpes, the stronger the increase. Submandibular and cervical lymph nodes can also become inflamed.
- The mucous membranes of the mouth and gums become darker than usual and swell. Saliva becomes viscous, sometimes there is bad breath. Gums with pressure can bleed a little, and lymph nodes with pressure can hurt.
- In places of future rashes, itching, burning are felt.
- Then the manifestations of the inflammatory process begin, in which a rash appears in the oral cavity, which looks like vesicles of various shapes filled with liquid.
- Further, the contents of the vesicles become cloudy and after a while they burst, forming peculiar sores, which are then covered with a crust. This phenomenon brings great discomfort and pain, so many refuse to eat and drink until the symptoms disappear. It should be noted that it is at this stage that a person is most infectious, since a liquid contains a large number of virus particles.
- After a while, the crusts dry out and fall off. It is not recommended to peel them off, since the healing rate may increase.
- In severe forms, herpes on the oral mucosa is able to move to the throat, including the tonsils.
If herpes appeared on the glands, then extensive rashes can develop into erosion, which without adequate treatment leads to necrosis.
If herpes appears in the mouth in the sky, the characteristic symptoms will be difficulty swallowing and pain.
Rashes can sometimes be confused with signs of other diseases. A common symptom of herpes on the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat is a feeling of itching and burning.
Possible forms of distribution
Herpes in the mouth is divided into several forms:
- migratory form - with each new occurrence of the virus, vesicles appear in different places of the oral cavity;
- disseminated - herpes on the oral mucosa occurs in areas remote from each other, while several lesions are observed;
- edematous form - characterized by the absence of rashes, but there is swelling;
- ulcerative-erosive form - a condition in which after bursting vesicles wounds appear that heal for a long time, sometimes scars remain in their place.
- hemorrhagic is a very dangerous form of herpes in the mouth: there are vesicles filled with bloody contents, which, as a rule, are located on the tonsils; general intoxication of the body is observed, with this form, the consequences are very dangerous, since necrosis or inflammation of the trigeminal nerve can develop.
A photo of herpes in the mouth in adults with an ulcer-erosive form is presented below.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of herpes in the mouth in adults and children is mainly based on the clinical picture. But sometimes the symptoms are very lubricated and for the establishment of an accurate diagnosis requires the use of certain diagnostic methods. These include a smear test or a blood test for antibodies to the virus.
Differences of herpes from stomatitis
Since herpes on the oral mucosa is often confused with any kind of stomatitis, we will consider the distinguishing features.
Herpes:
- bubbles appear, which after a while open;
- swelling is observed in the area of rashes;
- the location zone is close to the perineal structures.
Below is a photo of herpes in the mouth.
Stomatitis:
- the appearance of ulcers can be observed already in the early stages of the disease;
- rashes can cover the entire surface of the oral cavity.
Cold sore treatment
It is completely impossible to recover from the herpes virus. It is likely to appear again with a decrease in immunity and other provoking factors. Treatment is usually based on symptom relief and prevention of the transition of the virus to a severe form, which can cause serious harm to the body.
Treatment for hepatitis virus in the mouth in adults and children should be comprehensive. This involves the removal of unpleasant symptoms, the suppression of the growth of the virus in the body and the prevention of its reappearance. In treatment, antiviral therapy, vitamins and a special diet are used.
- Antiviral therapy - such drugs as Zovirax, Acyclovir and others are very effective.
- With vitamin therapy, the emphasis should be on vitamins of groups A, B, C (ascorbic acid).
- Immunomodulators are often recommended.
- With cold sores in the mouth, it is necessary to use rinses with antiseptic agents - Miramistin, Chlorhexidine, a decoction of chamomile.
- In addition to medical care, bed rest is recommended, especially in severe cases of the disease.
- With herpes in the mouth, it is recommended to lubricate the lesion sites with natural oils - sea buckthorn, fir and others.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Oral hygiene. Gently rinse your mouth and brush your teeth.
- To relieve the painful manifestations of herpes, anti-inflammatory dental gels, for example, Cholisal, are used.
- With a diet, fried, sweet, fatty foods are excluded.
- In severe cases of the disease, antibacterial agents are recommended.
It is worth noting that with herpes in the mouth in adults, treatment does not involve the use of antiviral gels and ointments inside the oral cavity. The same applies to children. The fact is that the components of the drug can simply be eaten or washed off by saliva. It is advisable to use them on the outside of the lips.
As folk remedies of medicine, rinses with decoctions of herbs such as chamomile, sage, mint are used. At the stage of ulcers, decoctions of oak bark and birch buds help. But before using these funds, you need to make sure that there is no allergy.
It is important to remember that any treatment for herpes in the mouth in adults and children should be prescribed by your doctor.
Herpes Complications
Despite the fact that herpes in most cases does not cause complications, nevertheless, in the presence of certain factors, the disease leads to unpleasant consequences. These include:
- headache;
- throat diseases;
- viral damage to the kidneys;
- diseases of a dental nature;
- herpetic pneumonia and many others.
Prevention
Since it is impossible to completely get rid of the virus, doctors recommend that preventive measures be taken. To do this, you must:
- lead a healthy lifestyle;
- Do not use other people's personal care products;
- brush your teeth thoroughly;
- systematically visit the dentist;
- use hygienic lipstick both in winter and in summer;
- more often to be in the fresh air and go in for sports;
- stress must be avoided;
- the correct organization of the working day with sufficient time for rest and sleep is very important;
- it is necessary to timely treat all emerging diseases;
- if possible, carry out body hardening procedures;
- at the first symptoms of the disease, an itchy spot should be anointed with an antiviral agent or mouth rinsed.
Conclusion
Herpes in the mouth is a very unpleasant, causing severe discomfort, disease. Appearing once in the body, it remains in it for life, periodically declaring itself with provoking factors. Basically, in addition to discomfort, it does not cause inconvenience. But there are situations when the virus goes into a severe form, thereby provoking serious complications. To prevent this, it is necessary to apply preventive measures. Despite the fact that the symptoms often go away on their own, it is recommended that you consult a doctor at the first sign. This is especially important when a child is ill.