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It is a viral disease caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV)
and is perhaps the second most common viral infection after viral
respiratory diseases. It is also known by the name of fever blister,
cold sores, herpes labialis. It has been found that circulating
antibodies against HSV is present in the blood of most of the individuals
but still they may suffer from recurrent infections. Infections
in these individuals who have circulating antibodies are known as
RECURRENT INFECTION and infection in persons
who don't have these antibodies is known as PRIMARY
INFECTION.
There are also other forms of herpis infections like
(1) Herpes genitalis that is caused by a different type of HSV known
as type 2 and as the name suggest it effects genital organs such
as penis, vagina, vulva, uterine cervix. It is transmitted through
sexual contact and is also reported to be associated with cancer
of uterine cervix. Now a day it is also found in oral cavity and
lips due to certain sexual habits.
(2) Herpetic meningoencephalitis: this is a serious infection and
can even lead to death.
(3) Herpetic conjunctivitis
(4) Herpetic eczema
PRIMARY HERPETIC STOMATITIS:
This type of disease effects children and young adults and may present
itself with pain on swallowing, headache, fever, there may be swelling
of gums and pain this is followed by formation of vesicles and ultimately
formation of very painful ulcers. These ulcers usually heal within
2 to 3 weeks. The unfortunate part is that the ulcer reaches nerve
ganglia and remains dormant there until reactivated. It is an infectious
disease and may spread through droplet infection or direct contact.
The treatment is mostly based on symptoms and supportive in nature.
Antibiotics play a vital role in preventing secondary infection.
RECURENT OR SECONDARY HERPETIC
LABIALIS AND STOMATITIS
As the name suggest this form of the disease effects lips and mouth.
It is more common in adults and the disease presents it self as
a milder form of the one stated above. This form of disease is said
to be precipitated by allergy, sunshine or ultra violet light, stomach
upset, infection of upper respiratory tract, fatigue, menstruation,
trauma, anxiety, e.t.c. But how these factors work is not known.
The patients may suffer from these attacks at varying interval,
ranging from one month to a year or even more. The ulcer formation
may be preceded by a sensation of burning, tingling and tautness.
The amount of pain greatly varies and the ulcer usually heals with
in 7 to 10 days.
TREATMENT:
Besides symptomatic treatment some antiviral drugs are also available
but they should be taken strictly as per prescription.
N.B: it may be interesting
to note that there are various other diseases which mimic are similar
to herpes, they are -recurrent apthous stomatitis (this resembles
most commonly), food and drug allergies, chemical and drug burns,
herpes zoster, impetigo, pemphigus e.t.c.
RECURENT
APTHUS STOMATITS
It is also known as canker sores, Apthae or Apthous ulcers. It is
a disease in which one or more ulcers form in the mouth, which are
painful and has a tendency to recur. The various causes that are
supposed to be responsible include
(1)bacterial infection.
(2) local immune response.
(3) deficiency of vit B 12, folic acid or iron.
(4)This is also reported to be triggered after some
events such as trauma or injury inside the mouth
being most common, although hormonal changes
as in menstruation, psychological disturbances and
even food and drug allergies are reported to be
associated with this disease.
It may begin with one or many of these symptoms
- low-grade fever, swelling in the mouth, numbness, malaise, painful
lymph glands, but these symptoms may not be present in all the cases.
These ulcers are usually very painful and heal within one to two
weeks. In another variation of the disease which is known as apthous
ulcer major, the ulcer is bigger in size. There are patients who
are never free of ulcers, they have at least one ulcer present all
the times, these type of ulcers can last upto 1 ½ months
and they heal with formation of scar (this scaring is absent in
the minor form).
TREATMENT:
Even though there is no specific treatment for
this, some form of treatment have been reported to produce good
relief; the most notable among them is tetracycline mouthwash. Some
steroid ointment is also reported to produce beneficial results,
chemical cautery is helpful in reducing pain.
HERPES
SIMPLEX , RECURENT
APTHUS STOMATITS
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