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Herpetic stomatitis - Symptom

Alternative Names

Stomatitis - herpetic

Symptoms:

Blisters in the mouth, often on the tongue, cheeks, palate, gums, and a border between the lip (red colored) and the normal skin next to it
Decrease in food intake, even if the patient is hungry
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
Drooling
Fever (often as high as 104 °Fahrenheit) may occur 1 - 2 days before blisters and ulcers appear
Irritability
Pain in mouth
Swollen gums
Ulcers in the mouth, often on the tongue or cheeks -- these form after the blisters pop

Signs and tests:

Herpetic stomatitis is normally diagnosed based on its very typical appearance. Laboratory studies are seldom done. Sometimes viral culture and special stains can help with the diagnosis.

Swollen gums

Reviewed last on: 3/18/2011
A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine (11/2/2009).

References

Lingen MW. Head and neck. In: Kumar V, Abbas AK, Fausto N, Aster JC, eds. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:chap 16.

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