| ENCYCLOPEDIA INDEX |
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Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test |
| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Herpetic stomatitis |
| Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention |
| Alternative Names: |
| Stomatitis - herpetic |
| Treatment: |
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Herpetic stomatitis can be treated with the acyclovir family of antiviral medications. 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 it must be used with care as it masks all sensation and may interfere with swallowing and allow the child to burn himself 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. This is an ophthalmologic emergency and can lead to blindness. Dehydration may develop if the child refuses to eat and drink adequately because of a sore mouth. |
| Calling your health care provider: |
| Call 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). |
Swollen gums |
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