Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis in adult patients

Abstract

Introduction: Herpetic gingivostomatitis is an infection caused by herpes simplex virus, which affects mainly children patients, being uncommon this manifestation in adults. It initially appears with prodromal signs and then local signs show up. The treatment for this disease is only supportive, because there is already a peak of viral replication when it was diagnosed. Objectives: To report a case of herpetic gingivostomatitis and to discuss its clinical characteristics and treatment. Case report: The patient looked for clinic care for presenting painful oral lesions with little time of evolution. With no medical history, the patient reported using antibiotics and antifungals. Oroscopy showed multiple coalescing ulcerative lesions affecting the gum tissue, tongue, lips and hard palate. It has been diagnosed clinically as herpetic gingivostomatitis and has been treated with supportive treatment (analgesics, topical anesthetic and chlorhexidine digluconate 0,12 %). The patient returned after one week with improvement of the condition. Conclusion: The correct diagnosis, through the evident clinical manifestations, prevents the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, leading to better response of the patient.

Keywords

• vírus herpes simples
• gengivoestomatite herpética aguda
• diagnóstico oral.