The herpetic gingivostomatitis It is a disease that I did not know until a couple of weeks ago, but the practical experience has made me soak up it. It is an infection caused by a virus of the herpes family that, in young children, develops especially in the cavity and in the oral mucous membranes.
It starts with a high fever, up to forty degrees and the child complains of pain in the throat, but does not show any catarrhal symptoms. If you look closely you can see the lesions on the tongue, gums and palate, in the form of vesicles with white head and generalized inflammation. Pupae in the mouth and inflammation of the gums may increase in the following days. The most serious cases get bleeding in the gums and major mouth ulcers.
The contagion is produced by contact with some person or utensil that would have been used, and it is very difficult to prevent it, since the stage of transmission of herpes does not have to have identifiable signs. It is usually suffered by children under five years old, but it can also occur with older age.
Children complain of headaches, and have irritability and anorexia. The breath can be very strong (halitosis). The tongue is covered with a yellow-white film.
The usual medication is analgesics and antipyretics, although in some cases the doctor may decide to use antiviral medication, although this is rare. Some ointments or special preparations may be prescribed for the mouth, but lidocaine is usually avoided, since the child, by losing sensation in the mouth can bite into the lesions. Patience and pampering are almost the little we can do to relieve them.
They will not eat just, any uncrushed or salty food increases the stinging. They can eat liquids or some foods such as jellies or warm broths, and other fresh and sweet foods such as custard or low-acid yogurts. Citrus fruits, especially, are not suitable. Babies get to have a problem to breastfeed or take the bottle, and in those cases, you have to tell the doctor to assess other support measures, although they tend not to be accurate.
The pain in the mouth is very intense and, although the high fever disappears in a few days, the discomfort will continue many more, up to two weeks.
Contagion must be avoided, so smaller babies and immunocompromised people do not have to be in contact with the patient, who cannot return to school either until the fever disappears and the mouth ulcers close.
Fortunately it is a problem that rarely causes complications, although, as he explained to me, in the first days of high fever and lack of appetite, one must be very attentive to dehydration or signs of hyperthermia involvement.
Then, once the feverish phase passes, above all you have to be very patient. The child will cry in pain, and will not want to feed on the sting so intense that it produces any food in the mouth. Pampering and sweetness is almost the best treatment, do not despair and help you drink small amounts of liquids or soft foods that allow you to maintain a good general condition, but never forcing.
As I said, I had never heard of the herpetic gingivostomatitis until a few days ago my son's doctor explained to us what he was suffering, and when I say suffering, I mean it, it is a disease that makes them have a really bad time.
In the case of my son, he is older, so he can understand the process and its symptoms, which helps him cope. For the little ones it sure is doubly hard. For your parents, I imagine that too.
