Description A contagious viral ...
Description
A contagious viral illness caused by herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV). In young children it may be their first exposure to the herpes virus resulting in a systemic illness with high fever, blisters, ulcers in the mouth, and inflammation of the gums. Adults may have recurrences manifest only as a "cold sore". The sore may resolve even though the HSV virus may remain dormant within the nerve cells. The sores of HSV may return when a person is experiencing emotional or physical stress or immune suppression. However, attacks of herpes may recur for no identifiable reason.
Symptoms
Fever, blisters and ulcers in the mouth, poor feeding, drooling, pain with swallowing, swollen gums.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. A culture of a blister or a direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test can be performed to establish the diagnosis.
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. A culture of a blister or a direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test can be performed to establish the diagnosis.
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice
Treatment
Treatment includes: antiviral treatment (acyclovir/Zovirax), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications/NSAIDs (ibuprofen/Motrin or Advil, naproxen/Naprosyn), and pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).