Current issues of severe herpetic infection in adults

Herpetic gingivostomatitis

This form of the disease develops due to the herpes virus type I.
Its symptoms include round ulcers with a white coating, red at the edges, no larger than 0.5 mm in size, covering the mucous membrane of the mouth and gums. Acute gingivostomatitis is characterized by high (up to 38-39 degrees) temperature, bleeding and swollen gums, and inflamed lymph nodes. The number of ulcers sometimes reaches 15-20 pieces. Weakness occurs, problems with eating due to pain, appetite disappears, sleep is disturbed. These symptoms may be accompanied by signs of acute respiratory viral infection or catarrhal tonsillitis.

Other types of gingivostomatitis - allergic, plasmacytic and atypical - are much less common.

Causes of gingivostomatitis

For the development of ulcerative gingivostomatitis, a number of factors are necessary, the main one of which is a decrease in the body’s protective reaction.
The disease usually occurs when one or more of the following factors are present:

— An organism weakened due to illnesses; — Hypothermia, colds: — Chronic infections and diseases; — Inflammatory processes in the mouth, tartar deposits; — Chronic injury to the oral mucosa (for example, due to dentures); — Diseases of the immune system (including HIV); — Lack of vitamins, iron deficiency anemia; — Lack of oral hygiene measures for a long time; - An allergic reaction to toothpaste, medications or any food.

How can you get infected with a virus?

An increased risk of infection is direct entry of the virus into the oral cavity through kissing or using an infected toothbrush. The ability of the Herpes virus to be transmitted to others is very high. You can become infected in crowded places. As the weather gets colder, the risk of infection increases. The virus is highly contagious and is transmitted in the following ways:

• contact with infected people;
• due to sexual contact, with damage to the skin;
• by airborne droplets, inhalation or through household items;
• hematogenous method (through blood);
• as a result of using toothpastes containing sodium lauryl sulfate.

Gingivostomatitis in children

Most often in childhood, gingivostomatitis occurs, caused by the herpes virus.
The disease occurs in an acute form, usually of moderate or severe severity. Gingivostomatitis in a child begins with a sharp rise in temperature, lethargy, and headache. All these symptoms in children appear even before ulcers appear in the mouth, and they can easily be confused with signs of a cold or flu: there is a cough, runny nose, and sometimes diarrhea.

Upon examination, enlarged lymph nodes under the jaw and on the neck and reddened gums are detected. For 2-3 days, the oral mucosa becomes covered with ulcers, which are very painful. The illness lasts one to two weeks.

Treatment of gingivostomatitis consists of aseptic treatment and anesthesia of the oral cavity, as well as antiviral therapy and strengthening the immune system.

This review examines acute herpetic stomatitis in children as the most common disease of viral etiology. Acute herpetic stomatitis (AHS), along with other inflammatory diseases of the oral mucosa in children, is usually accompanied by a decrease in general immunity. The authors recommend an integrated approach, including general and local treatment, with the use of immunomodulators, which will reduce the treatment time for acute herpetic stomatitis, reduce the severity of this disease and restore normal immunity in a shorter time.

Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis in children

Here is reviewed an acute herpetic gingivostomatitis in children as the most common disease of viral etiology. Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis (AHG) along with other inflammatory diseases of children's oral mucosa is generally accompanied by decrease in systematic immunity. The authors suggest the complex approach including general and local treatment with the application of immunomodulators that will reduce the terms of acute herpetic gingivostomatitis treatment, decrease the severity of this disease and in shorter terms recover normal immunity.

Acute herpetic stomatitis in children —

an infectious viral disease caused by primary contact with the herpes simplex virus, characterized by inflammation of the oral mucosa with the appearance of blistering rashes, increased body temperature and decreased immunity [1].

A third of the world's population is affected by herpes infection; over half of these patients suffer several attacks of infection per year, often including manifestations in the oral cavity. It has been established that the infection rate of children with the herpes simplex virus between the ages of 6 months and 5 years is 60%, and by the age of 15 it is already 90%. A similar situation is typical for dentistry, since the incidence of acute (primary) herpetic stomatitis in children increases every year.

The role of the herpes simplex virus in diseases of the oral mucosa was first pointed out at the beginning of the 20th century. N.F. Filatov (1902). He suggested the possible herpetic nature of the most common acute aphthous stomatitis among children. This evidence was obtained later, when antigens of the herpes simplex virus were discovered in the epithelial cells of the affected areas of the oral mucosa.

Acute herpetic stomatitis not only ranks first among all lesions of the oral mucosa, but is also included in the leading group among all infectious pathologies of childhood. Moreover, in every 7–10th child, acute herpetic stomatitis very early turns into a chronic form with periodic relapses [1].

Herpes simplex virus is a DNA virus. The size of the vibrio is 100-160 nm. Develops intracellularly. The virus is thermolabile and is inactivated at a temperature of 50-52°C for 30 minutes. At a temperature of 37°C, inactivation of the virus occurs within 10 hours. The virus persists for a long time at low temperatures (-70°C). It causes various diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems, liver, other parenchymal organs, eyes, skin, gastrointestinal mucosa, genital organs, and also has a certain significance in the intrauterine pathology of the fetus. A combination of various clinical forms of herpetic infection is often observed.

Acute herpetic stomatitis has a relatively high contagiousness among non-immune individuals. The spread of the disease at the age of 6 months to 3 years is explained by the fact that at this age the antibodies received from the mother interplacentally disappear in children, as well as the lack of mature specific immune systems. Among older children, the incidence is significantly lower due to acquired immunity after a herpes infection in its various clinical manifestations.

Herpes infection, which manifests itself mainly in the oral cavity, is caused by the herpes simplex virus serotype 1 - HSV-1 (Herpes simplex virus HSV-1) [3]. Infection occurs through airborne droplets, contact and household routes (through toys, dishes and other household items), as well as from persons suffering from recurrent herpes of the lips.

In the development of herpetic infection, the structure of the oral mucosa in children in early childhood and the activity of local tissue immunity are of great importance. The highest prevalence of acute herpetic stomatitis in the period up to 3 years may be due to age-morphological indicators, indicating high permeability of histohematic barriers during this period and a decrease in morphological immune responses: thin epithelial cover with low levels of glycogen and ribonucleic acids, friability and low differentiation of the basement membrane and fibrous structures of connective tissue (abundant vascularization, high levels of mast cells with their low functional activity, etc.).

The pathogenesis of acute herpetic stomatitis has not been fully studied at present. In all cases, a viral infection begins with a violation of the integrity of the mucous membranes and skin, adsorption of viral particles and penetration of the virus into the cell. Further ways of spreading the introduced virus throughout the body are complex and poorly understood. There are a number of provisions indicating the spread of the virus by hematogenous and neural routes. During the acute period of stomatitis, viremia is observed in children.

The lymph nodes and elements of the reticuloendothelial system are of great importance in the pathogenesis of the disease, which is quite consistent with the pathogenesis of the sequential development of clinical signs of stomatitis. The appearance of lesions on the oral mucosa is preceded by lymphadenitis of varying severity. In moderate and severe clinical forms, bilateral inflammation of the submandibular lymph nodes often develops. All groups of cervical lymph nodes (anterior, middle, posterior) can be involved in the process. Lymphadenitis in acute herpetic stomatitis precedes rashes in the oral cavity, accompanies the entire course of the disease and remains for 7-10 days after complete epithelization of the rash elements.

Immune defense plays a certain role in the body’s resistance to disease and in its protective reactions. Both specific and nonspecific immune factors play a role in immune reactivity. Studies of nonspecific immune reactivity have established a violation of the body's protective barriers, which reflected the severity of the disease and the periods of its development. Moderate and severe forms of stomatitis sharply suppress natural immunity, which is restored 7-14 days after the child’s clinical recovery [1].

Primary infection usually occurs after 6 months of life, since before this the blood of most newborns contains antibodies to the herpes simplex virus, received from the mother transplacentally. Most often, the disease occurs between the ages of 1 and 5 years - 62-65% of cases. Children 4-5 years old account for 13-25%, then the incidence sharply decreases, amounting to 1-2 cases per 1000 in schoolchildren. The high incidence in children from 6 months to 3 years is explained by the fact that at this age antibodies received from the mother disappear , but there are still no mature systems of specific immunity and the role of nonspecific immunity is still small. Among older children, the incidence is much lower, since immunity is acquired after suffering a herpetic infection in one clinical form or another.

For the development of herpes infection, which primarily affects the oral cavity, the structure of the oral mucosa is of great importance. Thus, the highest prevalence of OGS in the period up to 3 years may be due to the high permeability of histological barriers during this period and a decrease in morphological immune responses, thin epithelial cover with low levels of glycogen and ribonucleic acids, friability and low differentiation of the basement membrane and fibrous structures of connective tissue.

Herpetic stomatitis can occur in newborn premature babies. It is believed that it is a consequence of ante- and perinatal infection, which is observed in 1/3 of cases.

Acute herpetic stomatitis, like many other childhood infectious diseases, occurs in mild, moderate and severe forms. The incubation period lasts from 2 to 17 days, and in newborns it can last up to 30 days. During the course of the disease, five periods are distinguished: incubation, prodromal, disease development, extinction and clinical recovery. During the development of the disease, two phases can be distinguished - catarrhal and rash of lesions.

Symptoms of damage to the oral mucosa appear in the third period of disease development. Intense hyperemia of the entire oral mucosa is observed; after a day, or less often two, lesions are usually found in the oral cavity. The severity of acute herpetic stomatitis is assessed by the severity and nature of the symptom of toxicosis and the symptom of damage to the oral mucosa.

The mild form of acute herpetic stomatitis is characterized by the external absence of symptoms of intoxication of the body; the prodromal period is clinically absent. The disease begins suddenly with an increase in body temperature to 37-37.5°C. The general condition of the child is quite satisfactory. Minor phenomena of inflammation of the nasal mucosa and upper respiratory tract may be detected. Sometimes hyperemia and slight swelling occur in the oral cavity, mainly in the area of ​​the gingival margin (catarrhal gingivitis). The duration of the period is 1-2 days. The vesicle stage is usually not noticed by parents and doctors, since the vesicle quickly bursts and turns into erosion-aphtha. Afta-erosion is round or oval in shape with smooth edges and a smooth gray bottom with a rim of hyperemia around it.

In most cases, against the background of increased hyperemia, single or grouped lesions appear in the oral cavity, the number of which usually does not exceed five. The rashes are one-time only. The duration of the disease development is 1-2 days.

The period of extinction of the disease is longer. Within 1-2 days, the elements acquire a marble-like color, their edges and center are blurred. They are already less painful. After epithelization of the elements, the phenomena of catarrhal gingivitis persist for 2-3 days, especially in the area of ​​the anterior teeth of the upper and lower jaws.

In children suffering from this form of the disease, as a rule, there are no changes in the blood, sometimes only towards the end of the disease a slight lymphocytosis appears. In this form of the disease, the protective mechanisms of saliva are well expressed: pH 7.4±0.04, which corresponds to the optimal state. During the height of the disease, an antiviral factor, interferon, appears in saliva (from 8 to 12 units/ml). The decrease in lysozyme in saliva is not pronounced.

Natural immunity in mild forms of stomatitis suffers slightly, and during the period of clinical recovery, the child’s body’s defenses are almost at the level of healthy children, i.e. in mild forms of acute herpetic stomatitis, clinical recovery means complete restoration of the body’s impaired defenses.

The moderate form of acute herpetic stomatitis is characterized by fairly clearly defined symptoms of toxicosis and damage to the oral mucosa during all periods of the disease. Already in the prodromal period, the child’s well-being worsens, weakness, moodiness, loss of appetite appear, catarrhal sore throat or symptoms of acute respiratory disease are observed. The submandibular lymph nodes enlarge and become painful. The temperature rises to 37-37.5°C.

As the disease progresses during the development of the disease (catarrhal phase), the temperature rises to 38-39°C, headache, nausea, and pale skin appear. At the peak of the rise in temperature, increased hyperemia and severe swelling of the mucous membrane, elements of a rash appear, both in the oral cavity and often on the skin of the face in the mouth area. In the oral cavity, from 10 to 20-25 lesions are usually noted. During this period, salivation increases, saliva becomes viscous and viscous. Marked inflammation and bleeding of the gums are noted.

Rashes often recur, as a result of which, when examining the oral cavity, one can see elements of the lesion that are at different stages of clinical and cytological development. After the first eruption of lesions, body temperature usually drops to 37-37.5°C. However, subsequent rashes are usually accompanied by a rise in temperature to the previous levels. The child does not eat, sleeps poorly, and symptoms of secondary toxicosis increase.

An increase in ESR up to 20 mm/h is noted in the blood, often leukopenia, sometimes slight leukocytosis; band leukocytes and monocytes are within the highest normal limits; lymphocytosis and plasmacytosis are observed. An increase in the titer of herpetic complement-fixing antibodies is detected more often than after a mild form of stomatitis.

The duration of the period of extinction of the disease depends on the resistance of the child’s body, the presence of carious and damaged teeth in the oral cavity, and irrational treatment. The latter factors contribute to the fusion of lesion elements, their subsequent ulceration, and the appearance of ulcerative gingivitis. Epithelization of the lesion elements takes up to 4-5 days. Gingivitis, severe bleeding of the gums and lymphadenitis last the longest.

With moderate disease, the pH of saliva becomes more acidic. The amount of interferon is less than in children with a mild form of the disease, but does not exceed 8 units/ml and is not found in all children. The content of lysozyme in saliva decreases more than in mild forms of stomatitis.

The severe form of acute herpetic stomatitis is much less common than the moderate and mild form. In the prodromal period, the child exhibits all the signs of an incipient acute infectious disease: apathy, adynamia, headache, skin-muscular hyperesthesia and arthralgia, etc. Symptoms of damage to the cardiovascular system are often observed: bradycardia and tachycardia, muffled heart sounds, arterial hypotension. Some children experience nosebleeds, nausea, vomiting, and pronounced lymphadenitis of not only the submandibular, but also the cervical lymph nodes.

During the development of the disease, the temperature rises to 39-40°C. The child develops a mournful expression on his face and is characterized by suffering, sunken eyes. A mild runny nose and cough are observed; the conjunctivae are somewhat swollen and hyperemic. Lips are dry, bright, parched. The mucous membrane of the oral cavity is swollen, clearly hyperemic, and acute catarrhal gingivitis is pronounced. After 1-2 days, elements of the rash begin to appear in the oral cavity (up to 20-25). Often, rashes in the form of typical herpetic blisters appear on the skin of the oral area, the skin of the eyelids and conjunctiva of the eyes, earlobes, on the fingers, like a panaritium. Rashes in the oral cavity recur and therefore, at the height of the disease in a seriously ill child, there are about 100 of them. The elements merge, forming large areas of necrosis of the mucous membrane. Not only the lips, cheeks, tongue, soft and hard palate are affected, but also the gingival margin. Catarrhal gingivitis turns into ulcerative-necrotic, with a sharp putrid odor from the mouth, profuse salivation mixed with blood. Inflammation on the mucous membrane of the nose, respiratory tract, and eyes worsens. Streaks of blood are also found in secretions from the nose and larynx, and sometimes nosebleeds are noted. In this condition, children need active treatment from a pediatrician and dentist, and therefore it is advisable to hospitalize the child in the isolation ward of a pediatric or infectious diseases hospital.

In the blood of children with a severe form of acute herpetic stomatitis, leukopenia, a band shift to the left, eosinophilia, single plasma cells, and young forms of neutrophils are detected. In the latter, toxic granularity is very rarely observed. Herpetic complement-fixing antibodies are, as a rule, always detected during the period of convalescence.

The reaction of saliva is acidic (pH 6.55±0.2), but after some time it changes to alkaline (8.1-8.4). Interferon is usually absent, the content of lysozyme is sharply reduced.

The period of extinction of the disease depends on timely and correctly prescribed treatment and on the child’s history of concomitant diseases.

Despite the clinical recovery of a patient with a severe form of acute herpetic stomatitis, profound changes in homeostasis are observed during the period of convalescence.

The diagnosis of acute herpetic stomatitis is established on the basis of anamnestic, epidemiological data, characteristic clinical symptoms, as well as cytomorphological data. Cytologically, the clinical diagnosis is confirmed by the presence in fingerprint smears, characteristic of herpetic infection, of epithelial cells with eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions, as well as giant multinucleated cells.

All children under observation undergo a complex of clinical, laboratory and instrumental studies, including a clinical blood test and immunological studies.

It is known that immunosuppression is one of the main factors in the implementation of herpes virus infection. In this regard, the state of local immunity of the oral mucosa is studied: the content of lysozyme, the level of immunoglobulins (in particular secretory IgA) in mixed saliva. The material for the study is smear impressions from the oral mucosa. Tests in which cell nuclei are stained with fluorescein and polymorphonuclear neutrophils and macrophages that are specifically stained with herpetic antiserum are observed as positive for herpes antigen; also determine the presence of virus-specific nucleotide sequences of the herpes simplex virus in swabs from the oral mucosa. For this purpose, the PCR method is used.

The essence of PCR diagnostics is to identify the pathogen using the indication of specific regions of the genome. The method provides high sensitivity and specificity for determining the infectious agent, starting from the earliest stages of the development of the infectious process. The material for research is scrapings from the oral mucosa.

Strepto-staphylococcal lesions (pyoderma)

The leading symptoms of the disease are caused by the addition of pyogenic microflora. Body temperature is elevated - in severe cases up to 38-39 ° C, signs of intoxication and lymphadenitis of regional nodes, prone to abscess formation, are expressed. On the red border and skin of the lips there are single or multiple purulent pustules, thick straw-yellow crusts; the surrounding skin is often hyperemic and infiltrated. The anterior parts of the oral mucosa may also be affected: lips, gums, tip of the tongue. In this case, against a hyperemic background, separate and merging erosions, covered with a loose coating, are revealed.

Vincent's ulcerative gingivostomatitis

Rarely observed in young children. In recent years, schoolchildren and teenagers also rarely get sick. The causative agents are considered to be saprophytes of the oral cavity: fusiform bacillus and spirochetes, which under certain conditions become pathogenic; they are found in large quantities in the discharge from the surface of ulcers.

The general condition of the child is serious, since the absorption of tissue decay products causes significant intoxication of the body, the body temperature is elevated, the regional lymph nodes are enlarged and painful, and salivation is increased. The gums are swollen, dark red in color; in the area of ​​ulceration, the interdental papillae seem to be cut off due to the disintegration of the tissue at their apex and are covered with a dirty, soiled coating with a putrefactive odor [5].

The goals of treatment of acute herpetic stomatitis are:

— elimination of the cause of the disease;

- prevention of complications (streptostaphylococcal pyoderma, ulcerative necrotizing gingivostomatitis).

The doctor’s tactics when treating patients with acute herpetic stomatitis should be determined by the severity of the disease and the period of its development.

Indications for hospitalization:

- prolonged dehydration and intoxication;

- severe and complicated course of the disease.

Complex therapy for acute herpetic stomatitis includes general and local treatment. For moderate and severe disease, it is advisable to carry out general treatment together with a pediatrician. Due to the peculiarities of the clinical course of acute herpetic stomatitis, rational nutrition and proper organization of feeding the patient occupy an important place in the complex of therapeutic measures. Food must be complete, i.e. contain all the necessary nutrients and vitamins. Considering that the pain factor often forces the child to refuse food, first of all, before feeding, it is necessary to treat the oral mucosa with Cholisal gel, which provides a quick analgesic effect, topical anesthetics, a 5-10% oil solution of benzocaine or a gel containing lidocaine + chlorhexidine (lidochlor).

The child is fed predominantly liquid or semi-liquid food that does not irritate the inflamed mucous membrane. Much attention is paid to administering a sufficient amount of fluid. This is especially important during intoxication.

Local treatment for acute herpetic stomatitis requires the following tasks:

- relieve or reduce painful symptoms in the oral cavity;

- prevent repeated eruptions of lesions (reinfection);

- promote the acceleration of epithelization of lesion elements.

From the first days of the development of acute herpetic stomatitis, taking into account the etiology of the disease, serious attention should be paid to antiviral treatment. For this purpose, it is recommended to use ointment with bromonaphthoquinone (bonaftone ointment), tebrofen ointment, acyclovir ointment, interferon alpha-2 (viferon), herpferon, alpizarin ointment (0.5-2%), solution of leukocyte human interferon and other antiviral agents [1 ].

These medications are recommended to be used repeatedly (5-6 times a day) not only when visiting a dentist, but also at home. It should be borne in mind that it is advisable to use antiviral agents on both the affected areas of the mucous membrane and areas without rash elements, since they have a greater preventive effect than a therapeutic one. During the period of extinction of the disease, antiviral drugs and their inducers are replaced with anti-inflammatory and keratoplasty drugs.

Weak antiseptics and keratoplastics are of leading importance during this period of the disease. This is an oil solution of vitamin A, sea buckthorn oil, Vitaon oil, rosehip seed oil, ointments with methyluracil, solcoseryl, Actovegin (gel, ointment, cream, dental adhesive paste). The preparations are applied to the treated wound surface until complete epithelization.

The study of the state of local immunity in children with acute herpetic stomatitis made it possible to clarify the characteristic dynamics of various factors of local immunity in this disease. Thus, the content of IgA, which plays a major role in protecting the oral mucosa, correlates with the severity and nature of the pathological process. The content of lysozyme in saliva in patients with acute herpetic stomatitis depends on the severity of stomatitis and gingivitis. The revealed patterns of dynamics of indicators of local immunity of the oral cavity allow us to consider it pathogenetically justified to include drugs aimed at their correction in the complex treatment regimen for acute herpetic stomatitis. These drugs include immunomodulatory agents: imudon, glucosaminyl muramyl dipeptide (lycopid), azoximer bromide (polyoxidonium), lysobact, etc.

In case of severe damage, the elements of the skin rash are lubricated with salicylic-zinc paste (lassara) to form a thin crust in order to prevent complications (streptostaphylococcal pyoderma). Physiotherapeutic procedures are also used - ultraviolet irradiation and helium-neon laser irradiation.

It should be noted that acute herpetic stomatitis occurring in any form is an acute infectious disease, in all cases requiring the attention of a pediatrician and dentist in order to provide comprehensive treatment, eliminate contact of a sick child with healthy children, and carry out preventive measures for this disease in children's groups.

Treatment algorithm for children with acute herpetic stomatitis

Local treatment:

In the prodromal period, use 2-3 drops in the nose and under the tongue every 4 hours:

• human leukocyte interferon;
• meglumine acridone acetate (cycloferon).

The following are used as painkillers (before eating and before treating the oral mucosa):

• 5-10% suspension of benzocaine (anesthetic) in peach oil;
• lidocaine + chlorhexidine (lidochlor gel), Kamistad gel, 2% xylocaine solution [3].

To remove necrotic tissue and clean the mucous membrane and gingival margin and teeth from plaque, enzyme solutions are used: trypsin, chymotrypsin, chymopsin, ribonuclease, lysoamidase, etc.

For the purpose of antiseptic treatment of the oral cavity, the following groups of drugs are recommended:

• group of oxidizing agents (potassium permanganate, 1% hydrogen peroxide);
• cationic detergents (hexetidine solution (hexoral) or 0.02% chlorhexidine solution, miramistin solution);
• drugs of the nitrofuran series (furacilin); 1:5000 or 1:10000;
• corsodil solution or 0.02% chlorhexidine solution.

During the period of rashes, antiviral gels, ointments and solutions are recommended 3-4 times a day:

0.25% oxolinic, 0.25-1% tebrophenic, 2% alpizarin, 0.25-0.5% florenal, 1% bonafthonic, 0.25% adimalic, 5% liniment helepin or alpizarin, Viferon, solutions of interferon and reaferon [4].

During the period of extinction of the disease, anti-inflammatory and keratoplasty drugs are prescribed: solcoseryl jelly, Actovegin, Cholisal gel, Vitaon oil, Aekol, sea buckthorn oil, rosehip oil, etc. [4].

General treatment

V.M. Elizarova recommends the following general treatment regimen [5]:

Prescribe the following drugs as antipyretics and painkillers: paracetamol (tablets, syrup), efferalgan (tablets, syrup), panadol (syrup), calpol (syrup), cefekon in the form of suppositories (5-10 mg/kg body weight 3- 4 times a day), Tylenol (syrup, tablets), Nurofen (syrup), etc. Antihistamines are recommended - mebhydrolin (Diazolin), hifenadine (Fenkarol), loratadine (Claritin), clemastine (Tavegil), suprastin [1].

Among the antiviral drugs prescribed are acyclovir (5 mg per day can be used from 3 months of life), bonafton (0.025 g 1 to 4 times depending on age), alpizarin, meglumine acridone acetate (cycloferon), interferon alpha-2 (viferon -1 rectal suppositories).

Immunomodulatory drugs used in this treatment regimen are imunal, lycopid, polyoxidonium, lysobact, and immunomishki. In addition, drinking plenty of fluids and eating non-irritating foods is recommended.

Treatment of complications of acute herpetic stomatitis

Treatment of pyoderma includes removal of purulent crusts and treatment of the mucous membrane. The crusts are removed after application of anesthesia, having previously softened them with a 1% solution of hydrogen peroxide. The oral mucosa and erosive surfaces are thoroughly washed with antiseptic agents, treated with proteolytic enzymes, and then lubricated with antibacterial agents, for example, 2% lincomycin, 2% neomycin, erythromycin (10,000 units per 1 g), 10% dermatol and other ointments. If there is a history of allergic reactions to antibiotics, creams with glucocorticoids (fluorocort, flucinar, lorinden hyoxysone, etc.) are added to antibacterial ointments [5].

Treatment of Vincent's ulcerative gingivostomatitis is symptomatic.

Caring for a child with acute herpetic stomatitis

A sick child must be isolated from other children and report the disease to a child care facility if the child attends one.

In order to stop the spread of infection in children's institutions, it is necessary to disinfect premises, household items, toys with a 3% solution of chloramine B*, as well as quartzize the premises.

All children who have been in contact with sick people are lubricated with 0.25% oxolinic ointment on the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth or instilled in the nose with a solution of human leukocyte interferon, and also given ascorbic acid orally for 5 days.

The patient is given separate dishes, bed, and towel. He needs to stay in bed and follow all doctor's orders. Receive special food. Fresh vegetable decoctions in meat or fish broth are recommended, to which crushed boiled meat or fish or chicken fillet, and boiled vegetables are added. Warm low-fat milk and fermented milk products, soft-boiled eggs are beneficial. The patient's food can include freshly prepared, non-irritating juices from vegetables and fruits (for example, a mixture of carrot, cabbage and apple juices). Plenty of fluids and chemically and mechanically gentle food are recommended. Before eating, the oral mucosa should be numbed. To do this, first carefully lubricate the lips, and then the affected areas of the oral mucosa with an anesthetic emulsion. The emulsion is applied to the lips with the index finger wrapped in cotton wool. After eating, the oral cavity must be freed from food debris by rinsing the mouth with warm boiled water. For small children, the head is slightly lowered and the mouth is washed out with a rubber spray [5].

K.V. Tidgen, R.Z. Urazova, R.M. Safina

Kazan State Medical University

Dental clinic No. 9, Kazan

Tidgen Kristina Vladimirovna – graduate student of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry

Literature:

1. Pediatric therapeutic dentistry. National leadership / ed. VC. Leontyeva, L.P. Kiselnikova. - M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2010. - 896 p. (National Guidelines Series).

2. Persin L.S. Pediatric dentistry. — Ed. 5th, revised and additional / L.S. Persin, V.M. Elizarova, S.V. Dyakova. - M.: Medicine, 2003. - 640 pp.: ill. (Educational literature for students of medical universities).

3. Handbook of pediatric dentistry / ed. A. Cameron, R. Widmer; lane from English / ed. T.F. Vinogradova, N.V. Ginali, O.Z. Topolnitsky. — 2nd ed., rev. and processed - M.: MEDpres-inform, 2010. - 392 p.: ill.

4. Vinogradova T.F. Periodontal diseases and oral mucosa in children / T.F. Vinogradova, O.P. Maksimova, E.M. Melnichenko. - M.: Medicine, 1983. - 208 p.: ill.

5. Selected reports and lectures on dentistry / Intro. Art. acad. RAMS E.I. Sokolova. - M.: MEDpress, 2000. - 140 p.

Treatment methods for different forms of the disease

When you first identify symptoms of herpetic gingivitis or stomatitis, you should seek help from a qualified specialist: an infectious disease specialist and a dentist. The doctor diagnoses the disease through a survey and visual examination of the patient. Assess the nature of the rash and prescribe treatment.

Therapy is reduced to the use of the following medications:

• antipyretic and painkillers;
• antiseptics;
• antiviral ointments and gels;
• decoctions of medicinal herbs for treating wounds.

At the moment of extinction of the disease, it is recommended to regularly treat the ulcers with an antiseptic solution, then with an oil solution (vitamin A). Be sure to adhere to proper nutrition, feed the patient soft foods, and give plenty of fluids. The sick person should be restricted from visiting institutions and crowded places due to the contagiousness of the disease. Those caring for the patient should follow basic hygiene rules.

Treatment for mild forms

To stop the process of inflammation in the body, antiviral drugs are prescribed at the initial stage of the disease, namely:

• tablets Acyclovir, Zovirax, Biocyclovir, Acik, Gerpevir are prescribed in the first week of illness, 1 piece each. 5 times a day for 5 days;
• drugs Interferon, Acyclovir, Acyclostad in the form of applications of solutions, creams or ointments for 20 minutes 5-7 times a day.

Traditional medicine methods can also be used in parallel with drug treatment. Folk remedies provide a mild effect in the form of preparing decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs (yarrow, sage, St. John's wort, chamomile and calendula).

The method for preparing a decoction of the above herbs is 1 tablespoon of dry herbs per glass of boiling water. Pour and cover the container with a towel for 10 minutes, then strain. Rinse your mouth before and after meals.

The following folk methods are also used to help with mild forms of the disease:

• propolis infusion to relieve pain in the mouth;
• lemon juice for swelling of the mucous membrane;
• flaxseed or sea buckthorn oil at the stage of ulcer healing.

Treatment for moderate severity of the disease

There is general and local therapy to eliminate the moderate form of the disease. General therapy is aimed at preventing the spread of the virus and improving the general immunity of the patient. The following drugs are prescribed:

• painkillers and antipyretics: Paracetamol for children, Efferalgan, Nurofen, Tylenol;
• antiviral drugs: Acyclovir, Zovirax, Biocyclovir, Virolex, Herperax;
• antihistamines: Claritin, Tavegil, Suprastin, Fenkorol;
• vitamins: Ascorbic acid and Ascorutin;
• immunomodulators: IRS-19, Viferon, Anaferon, Arbidol, Imudon;
• drink plenty of fluids and eat a healthy diet;

Local therapy is aimed at reducing pain and healing of erosive ulcers. The most commonly prescribed topical medications are:

• antiseptics: weak solutions of Furacilin, Miramistin after each meal;
• antiviral and healing ointments and oils: Interferon, Acyclovir, Acyclostad, Socloseryl, Carotolin, oil solution of vitamin A, rosehip and sea buckthorn oils;
• painkillers in the form of lotions and ointments: solution of Lidocaine and Pyromecaine, Cholisal, Mundizal-gel;
• alcohol solution of brilliant green, Fukortsin (“red brilliant green”), hydrogen peroxide for treating ulcers on the skin of the face and hands.

Treatment of a serious illness

In case of severe disease, antibacterial drugs (broad-spectrum antibiotics) are prescribed as the main method of treatment to prevent further development of the disease.

What consequences and complications can there be?

It is important to remember that gingivostomatitis is the most popular form of the disease, caused by staphylococci, streptococci and diplococci. Most often, the disease is observed in children's educational institutions. Inappropriate and untimely treatment leads to tooth loss.

If recovery is not complete, the disease may become chronic. The danger of the disease is that inflammation slowly affects the deep tissue layers, resulting in an increased likelihood of developing periodontal disease, the manifestations of which can be seen in the photo on the left. In this case, partial damage or complete destruction of the ligamentous dental apparatus occurs.

Delaying treatment can lead to more serious viral infections such as diphtheria, measles and influenza. Failure to comply with hygiene and safety rules in the event of illness can reach epidemic proportions.

CHRONIC RECURRENT HERPETIC STOMATITIS

Like acute herpetic stomatitis, chronic recurrent herpetic stomatitis goes through 4 stages of the disease and has three forms. The only difference is that the form of chronic recurrent herpetic stomatitis is determined not by the number of lesions (up to 5, up to 25 or more than 100), but by the frequency of occurrence per year.

The mild form of chronic recurrent herpetic stomatitis is characterized by the occurrence of lesions 1 – 2 times every 3 years;

The average form of chronic recurrent herpetic stomatitis is characterized by the occurrence of lesions 1 – 2 times a year;

The severe form of chronic recurrent herpetic stomatitis is characterized by the occurrence of lesions 4 or more times a year.

In chronic recurrent herpetic stomatitis, single or group elements of the lesion are detected, most often in the form of small blisters, which then appear, forming erosions. The mucous membrane is swollen and hyperemic. In severe cases of chronic recurrent herpetic stomatitis, a deterioration in the patient’s general well-being, headache, weakness, and body temperature of more than 39 degrees are added.

DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTICS OF HERPETHIC STOMATITIS

Differential diagnosis of herpetic stomatitis is carried out with chronic aphthous stomatitis, with exudative erythema multiforme, and with pemphigus vulgaris.

If we compare herpetic stomatitis and chronic aphthous stomatitis, then both lesions have aphthae. However, with aphthous stomatitis they are single, round, covered with a whitish coating and surrounded by a halo of hyperemia, there is no catarrhal gingivitis, the lymph nodes are not enlarged, and there is no elevated body temperature.

The differences between herpetic stomatitis and exudative erythema begin with the time of year. Most often, erythema occurs in autumn and spring and immediately begins to become difficult. That is, it is characterized by total damage to the mucous membrane, hyperemia, and edema. Erosions and ulcers are large, massive hemorrhagic crusts on the red border of the lips, cracks. The general condition also suffers: body temperature more than 40 degrees, weakness, malaise, multiple bluish spots (cockades) on the skin of the hands.

The difference with pemphigus vulgaris is that with pemphigus there are erosions that are slightly painful, located on the visually healthy mucous membrane of the oral cavity.