Herpetic stomatitis

Alternative names:

aphthous stomatitis; ulcerative stomatitis

Treatment:

Herpetic stomatitis is seldom treated with drugs, because the drugs are expensive and the condition usually goes away without treatment. When medications are used, the primary drug is acyclovir.

A mostly liquid diet consisting of cool to cold, nonacidic drinks should be provided while the child's mouth is very sore. An oral topical anesthetic (viscous lidocaine) is available for severe pain but must be used with care as it masks all sensation and may interfere with swallowing and allow the child to burn him- or herself on hot liquids without knowing it. In addition, a few rare deaths have been reported from overdosage and misuse of lidocaine.

Expectations (prognosis):

Complete recovery is expected within 10 days without medical intervention. Oral acyclovir may speed up recovery.

Complications:

Herpetic keratoconjunctivitis, a secondary herpes infection in the eye, may develop. Dehydration may develop if the child refuses to eat and drink adequately because of a sore mouth.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if your child develops a fever followed by a sore mouth, especially if they begin eating poorly (dehydration can develop rapidly in children).