What Are Fever Blisters?
What Are Fever Blisters?
Herpetic GingivoStomatitis……Fever blisters
Herpetic gingivostomatitis is a very common infection in children. Often it is very stressful for parents because of children catching high fever and also the way child’s mouth looks.
What causes fever blisters?
Gingivostomatitis is caused by herpes simplex virus, type 1. This is the same virus that causes cold sores on lips in adults. It is the primary infection that has systemic symptoms. After the primary infection, the virus stays dormant in the body and recurrence is usually seen as cold sores on lips or other parts of the mouth, when body goes through stress.
It is contagious; children usually catch it from contact with family members or by playing with other kids. Within a few weeks, the mouth becomes painful and gums are intensely inflamed. Lips, tongue, buccal mucosa, palate, pharynx and tonsils may also be involved. Then yellowish fluid filled vesicles develop, which rupture to form painful ulcers.
Symptoms:
- Blisters on lips, tongue, cheeks, lips and gums
- Child refuses to eat due to pain
- Drooling
- High fever
- Pain in mouth
- Swollen and bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Headache
- Pain upon swallowing
Treatment:
Herpetic stomatitis usually clears in 2-3 weeks. Since it is viral infection, antibiotics are not prescribed unless recommended by your doctor. Controlling the fever and keeping the child hydrated is most important. Give them lots of fluids to drink. Soft, cold and non spicy food may be easier to swallow. Topical anesthetics also help ease pain.
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