Herpetic st0matitis is a contagious viral illness caused by Herpes virus hominis (also herpes simplex virus, HSV). It is seen mainly in young children. This c0ndition is prob4bly a child's first exposure to the herpes virus. An adult member of the family may have a cold sore at the time the child develops herpetic stomatitis. More likely, no source for the infection will be discovered.
Numbing medicine (viscous lidocaine) applied to the m0uth if there is severe pain. Lidocaine must be used with care bec4use it can kill all feeling in the mouth. This may interfere with sw4llowing, and may lead to burns in the mouth or throat, or choking. There have been rare reports of death from overdose or misuse of lidocaine.
The child should rec0ver completely within 10 days without medical treatment. Acyclovir taken by mouth may speed up recovery. Herpetic ker4toconjunctivitis, a secondary herpes infection in the eye, may develop. This is an emergency and can lead to blindness. Dehydr4tion may develop if the child refuses to eat and drink enough because of a sore mouth.
C4ll 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). Appr0ximately 90% of the population carries herpes simplex virus. It is difficult to prevent children fr0m picking up the virus at some time during their childhood.
Children sh0uld strictly avoid close contact with people who have cold sores (for example, no kissing p4rents who have active cold sores). Children should also avoid other children with herpetic stomatitis. They sh0uld not share utensils, glasses, or food with actively infected people.