Why it occurs and how it is transmitted
The causative agent is the herpes simplex virus, most often type 1. Most people encounter it in childhood, and for some children the first encounter is violent, in the form of acute gingivostomatitis. The virus is transmitted through saliva: through kisses, shared spoons, cups, pacifiers and toys that the child puts in his mouth. Both adults with a “cold on the lip” and children in the acute phase of the disease are contagious. After recovery, the virus remains in the nerve ganglia for life and can occasionally manifest itself as a rash on the lip during hypothermia or stress.
- Source: saliva of a sick person
- Peak incidence - from 6 months to 5 years
- Incubation period is usually 2–12 days
- The child is contagious during the period of rash
- Repeated episodes pass more easily and without fever
Symptoms
The disease begins acutely: the temperature rises to high levels, the child becomes capricious and refuses to eat. After one or two days, small blisters appear in the mouth, which quickly open and turn into round ulcers with a bright red edge. The gum becomes completely inflamed: it is swollen, shiny, and bleeds easily. Characterized by severe drooling and bad breath. The submandibular lymph nodes are enlarged and painful. In some children, the rash appears on the skin around the mouth and on the edges of the lips.
- Fever, weakness, refusal to eat
- Blisters and sores on the tongue, cheeks, palate, gums
- Bright red swollen gums, bleeding
- Excessive drooling, bad breath
- Enlarged submandibular lymph nodes
- Rash on the lips and skin around the mouth
How is it different from other diseases?
Similar rashes occur with enterovirus infection: there are blisters most often on the back wall of the throat, as well as on the palms and soles, and the gums are usually not inflamed. With aphthous stomatitis, there is no fever and there is no damage to the entire gum, but the ulcers are single and appear in waves. Candidal stomatitis produces a white, cheesy coating that comes off, rather than ulcers. Less commonly, mouth ulcers are caused by injury, an allergic reaction, or blood disease, so long-lasting or multiple ulcers require evaluation.
- Enteroviral stomatitis - rashes on the palms and soles
- Aphthous stomatitis - no fever, single ulcers
- Candidiasis - white coating, not blisters
- Traumatic ulcer - one, in the same place
- Sore throat - sore throat without gum damage
How to help a child
The basis of treatment is pain relief and maintaining a drinking regime. Antipyretics in an age-appropriate dose simultaneously reduce pain in the mouth, which means the child begins to drink. Offer cool water, acid-free compote, milk drinks, ice cream or cold purees in small portions through a straw or syringe without a needle. Avoid sour, salty, spicy, hot and hard foods. The mucous membrane is treated with mild antiseptics or agents prescribed by the doctor. Oral antiviral drugs make sense in the first 72 hours of illness and are prescribed by a pediatrician.
- Antipyretic and analgesic in an age-appropriate dose
- Drinking small portions frequently, eating cool foods
- Soft, non-irritating foods, no sour or spicy foods
- Antiviral drug taken orally in the first three days - as prescribed by a doctor
- Careful oral hygiene with a soft brush or cloth
- Separate dishes and towels, hand washing
- Do not burn ulcers with green paint, alcohol or honey.
How long does it last and how to prevent it
The temperature usually lasts two to four days, the ulcers heal in one to two weeks without scarring. If the child continues to drink and urinate as usual, treatment can be carried out at home under the supervision of a pediatrician. Repeated episodes in most people are limited to blisters on the lip and are mild. It is impossible to completely get rid of the virus, but it is possible to reduce the risk of infecting a child: do not kiss him on the lips if he has a rash, do not lick the pacifier and spoon, separate separate dishes and wash hands more often in the family.
- Fever - usually 2-4 days
- Healing of ulcers - 7–14 days
- Do not kiss a child with a “cold on the lip”
- Separate dishes, pacifier, towel
- Do not share toys during rash periods
- Repeated appointment with the doctor if there is no improvement after a week