Herpes in children: What is herpetic gingostamatitis?

During the first months of his life, baby is partly protected from the herpes virus thanks to the antibodies of his mother.This protection then disappears so that the child develops his own immunity.During this period, when antibodies it is made, it is however more exposed to viruses ... including that of herpes: HSV1.In total, it is estimated that 80% of children under the age of five will be infected with this virus, reports the Rouen CHU.90% of adults are however immune.

Read also: Neonatal herpes: What is the kiss of death '?

Most of the time this "first infection", that is to say the child's first contact with the virus, goes unnoticed or declares itself in light form.According to MPEDIA (the French Association of Ambulatory Pediatrics Association), in 10% of cases, the first infection can nevertheless appear with much more intense symptoms and causes (in 90% of cases) to herpetic gingostamatitis (in 90%).

What is herpetic gingostamatitis?

Herpetic gingivostomatitis is a common pediatric condition, linked to a herpes virus infection.It generally concerns children under the age of six, with a peak between 1 and 3 years old.

The affection reaches the mouth of the child and manifests itself by the presence of eruptive vesicles (like blisters), small wounds on the tongue, the gums and in the mouth, and whitish deposits on the tongue and the tonsils.The gums can also be swollen and lymph nodes can develop in the neck.These symptoms are accompanied by frequent but not constant fever.However, there are asymptomatic forms.

Herpetic gingostamatitis is very painful.The oral lesions caused by this condition make it difficult to feed the child.In the most serious cases, the child must be hospitalized and placed under infusion, to avoid dehydration.This period is very complicated for the child, as for the parent, who can feel powerless in the face of the pain of his offspring.

A very contagious infection

Herpetic gigostamatitis is a very contagious infection.If the incubation is short, approximately 2 to 3 days, the contagion can last from 8 to 20 days.Parents and people are recommended for the infected child to bring a mask to avoid being contaminated.You also have to take care to wash them well but before and after having given the care to the child.

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Parents are not obliged to remove the child from school or crèche during this period ... even if it is better to keep the child at home, for more comfort and avoid contagion.

The child can also infected in other places from the oral location.We must therefore be careful not to touch his mouth.

What treatment?

Herpetic gingivostomatitis in general in general between four days and a week.Treatment is often symptomatic.At first, the doctor will try to relieve the child's pain and therefore prescribe analgesics, paracetamol type.

It is also advisable to make the child make liquids orally to prevent dehydration.Some people specialize propose to administer an antacide and/or viscous licodaine.

Doctors can also opt for antiviral treatment, such as aciclovir.The latter will however be more effective if it is administered as soon as the first symptoms appear (within 72 hours).In this case, it will be necessary to monitor the appearance of undesirable effects, such as headaches or vomiting.

Oral lesions and outside the mouth or even on the chin (rarer) will cure themselves.

You tell us

Word of mothers published a call for witnesses on Facebook and certain mothers agreed to tell their experiences.Here are their testimonies:

"My 4 -year -old daughter was recently infected.When we live the situation, it's very complicated.It looks like a kind of canker.Drinking and eating is very difficult.We saw him suffer.She had come to the point of not talking to not hurt.This is a very bad time, hoping that it is immune, "said Caroline.

"My daughter had her first oral herpes infection at 18 months...She spent 10 days without eating.She had bleeding in the mouth.It was very very complicated.Since then, we unfortunately have the right regularly to a herpes around the mouth… ”, said Yerdua.

“My 3 year old son had a Primo herpetic gingivostomatitis last month.It was horror.It started with fever for two days, then he started drooling a lot and having aphttes.He had a lot of trouble eating and drinking.After a few days, he had to be hospitalized under infusion because he could no longer swallow.A week of horror and pain.The worst part is that they told us it could come back, "said Cathy.

"My daughter did a first oral herpes infection at 7 years old.It started with a sore throat then an canker sore on the inside of the lip and in just a few hours it had the tongue, the interior of the cheeks, the palate, the throat and all the lips full of herpes pimples.She had a 10 -day treatment, she really suffered for 3/4 days then it calmed down.Once the crisis has passed, she has not done again so far.She is now 10 years old, "said Aurélia.