gingivostomatitis

Etiology

Herpes simplex type 1

Clinical manifestations

• patient is generally young & appears ill
• viral prodrome 24-48 hours prior to appearance of mucosal vesicles
• vesicles rupture with coalescence into large, painful ulcers
• associated gingivitis
• white coating on tongue
• regional lymphadenopathy
• duration < 1 week
• recurrent episodes take the form of Herpes simplex labialis

Laboratory

• acute & convalescent serology for HSV-1
• cytology showing giant cells with viral inclusion bodies

Management

• symptomatic
• systemic acyclovir

More general terms

• stomatitis (includes oral ulceration)

Additional terms

• Herpes simplex labialis (cold sore)