Herpes esophagitis is a viral infection that involves inflammation and ulcers in the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
The herpes simplex virus causes herpes esophagitis.
Infection of the esophagus by the herpes simplex virus is rare in people with normal immune systems and usually runs its course without treatment. However, severe and persistent esophagitis can occur in people with a suppressed or weakened immune system.