Esophagitis herpes
Alternative names:
herpes esophagitis
Definition:
An infection causing inflammation and ulcers
in the esophagus by the herpes
simplex virus.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Infection by the herpes
simplex virus in individuals with normal immune systems
usually runs its course without treatment, but severe and
persistant esophagitis
can occur in an immunosuppressed
or immunodeficient person. The incidence
is 1 out of 100,000 people. Herpes simplex esophagitis can
occur in AIDS patients with very low CD4 counts.
Herpetic esophagitis causes excruciating pain
when swallowing. The infections is frequently associated
with fever and occasionally
chills. Healthy individuals recover spontaneously in 3-5 days.
Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
editorial
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