Gingivostomatitis is a viral infection of the mouth and gums that causes swelling and sores.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Gingivostomatitis is common, particularly among children. It may occur after infection with the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which also causes cold sores. See: Herpetic stomatitis
The condition may also occur after infection with a coxsackie virus. See: herpangina
Symptoms:
The symptoms can be mild or severe and may include:
An examination of the mouth shows small ulcers. These ulcers are similar to mouth ulcers caused by other conditions. Your health care provider may consider other conditions if there are signs of a cough, fever, or muscle aches.
Normally, no special tests are needed to diagnose gingivostomatitis. However, the doctor may take a small piece of tissue from the sore to check for a viral infection. This is called a culture. A biopsy may occasionally be done to rule out other types of mouth ulcers.
Review Date: 2/12/2007
Reviewed By: Alden J. Pearl, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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