Viral stomatitis in children: causes, symptoms, treatment

A person is surrounded by viruses. With one successfully fighting the forces of the immune system, but others can not always win. One of the varieties of infectious diseases is viral stomatitis. In children, he manifests a bad appetite, excessive capriciousness, insomnia. How to properly treat this pathology, you will learn from our article.

Features of the disease in children

Viral stomatitis is an infectious pathology in which soft tissues of the oral cavity are affected. It should be considered as a kind of reaction of the body to weakened immunity. Virtually any virus - influenza, chicken pox or even measles can provoke the appearance of symptoms of the disorder.

Approximately 80% of cases occur against a background of herpes infection. Her favorite location is the lips. In specialized reference books one can find another name for this ailment: viral herpetic stomatitis. In children younger than 3 years with this diagnosis, the corners of the mouth are first of all affected, and then all the mucous. With good immunity, stomatitis passes very quickly.

Main reasons

In a healthy child, following the rules of hygiene, the probability of infection is negligible. Therefore, one of the factors that increase the risk of developing stomatitis in children, are problems in the oral cavity. Among them are gingivitis, periodontitis, caries, etc.

Of course, this is not all the causes of childhood viral stomatitis.

1. To contribute to the development of the disease can poor nutrition.
2. Some doctors associate ailment with vitamin deficiency, minerals deficiency.
3. Weakened immunity also increases the likelihood of complications.

Viral stomatitis is still dangerous because pets can act as a source of infection. If there is a dog in the house, do not let small children close contact with it.

Is it a disease?

In kindergartens, infants are periodically ill. When a child with stomatitis appears, nannies usually begin to convince parents that they do not need to be afraid of ailment. Is it true?

In fact, viral stomatitis is contagious. Therefore, pediatricians recommend reducing the number of visits to the garden, if even one child is sick. It is better to sit at home at this time. To prevent infection, you can give the child "Tantum Verde". Instructions for use for children, which is in the package with the medicine, describes in detail the scheme of reception.

The main transmission routes

Since the virus is the basis of the development of the disease, stomatitis can be transmitted by the appropriate methods:

• Airborne droplets;
• Contact-household (with handshakes, kisses, embraces);
• Through the blood.

Viruses, as you know, can live on any surface. Therefore, getting stomatitis is very easy. Kindergarten, school, hospital, store - all these places are considered unsafe.

The first manifestations of the disease

Viral stomatitis is considered a very insidious disease, as it can easily be confused with the flu or cold. Some at the initial stage mistakenly perceive him for a sore throat, because one of the symptoms is a severe sore throat. As the pathological process develops, the temperature rises, appetite disappears.

It is particularly difficult to detect viral stomatitis in children in a timely manner. If an adult can accurately determine and say that he hurts, then with the kids the situation is much more complicated. When the gums are involved in the pathological process, the child can simply complain about toothache. If the above symptoms are accompanied by excessive salivation, parents begin to sound an alarm.

Approximately on the third day after activation of the virus, the following symptoms may appear:

• Bubbles. They are localized on the cheeks and the sky. Inside each bubble one can consider a transparent secret. After a few days, the formations begin to burst and open, and then they are covered with a crust.
• Sores. Rashes are usually covered with gray film or bloom. The skin around them will swell slightly.
• Erosion. Such damage to the oral cavity is accompanied by severe itching and burning, resulting in the child becoming whimsical, constantly crying.

Many parents, completely ignoring the treatment of the pediatrician, begin treatment of viral stomatitis in children at home. This is strictly prohibited. Independent therapy (without prescribing doctor) can result in unpleasant consequences.

The incubation period

Each virus, penetrating the human body, does not immediately make itself felt. It has a so-called incubation period. This is a limited period of time, beginning directly with infection and ending with the onset of the first symptoms of the disease. It is almost impossible to accurately determine the duration of the incubation period. The type of virus at the infection stage is unknown. Only with the progression of the disease will it be possible to determine its belonging.

Numerous clinical studies have made it possible to establish that the period of activation of the virus is viriated from several days (measles, herpes) to 2-3 weeks. With timely detection of the disease, you can hope for a quick recovery. It is important that the treatment of viral stomatitis in children is started as early as possible.

Basic principles of therapy

When there are sores and bubbles in the mouth, the child should be shown to his dentist. He will be able to confirm the diagnosis, and if necessary, refer to the narrow specialists. Treatment of viral stomatitis involves an integrated approach.

With severe damage to the oral cavity, treatment with antiseptics and anesthetics is required. A good preparation for solving two problems simultaneously is "Tantum Verde". Instruction for use for children recommends using it for treatment from 3 years. Preliminary consultation with the pediatrician is required. In the course of therapy necessarily include applications with wound-healing agents.

It is also necessary to work in parallel to strengthen the immune system of the patient. Usually, immunomodulators, vitamin complexes and preparations based on echinacea are prescribed for these purposes.

A somewhat different approach requires herpetic viral stomatitis in children. Than to treat the given pathology? In this case, the main efforts should be aimed at combating rashes. For this, antiviral gels and creams (Zovirax, Acyclovir) are used.

Once again, it should be noted that the therapy should appoint a doctor. Self-treatment is unacceptable. It can lead to very unpleasant consequences. For example, parents often with this infectious disease begin to give the child antibiotics, which can not be done. Antibacterial drugs are not able to overcome viral stomatitis in children.

Home Treatment

In addition to drug therapy, doctors often recommend various folk remedies against the disease. For example, for rinsing, you can use special decoctions based on chamomile or calendula. They have a wound healing and anti-inflammatory effect.

To handle sores, it is also acceptable to use folk methods. An excellent remedy in this matter is the juice of aloe or calanchoe. You just need to moisten the cotton swab in the liquid and treat the erosion in the mouth.

General recommendations for treatment

Pediatricians strongly advise parents to listen to the following recommendations:

1. Viral stomatitis in children is considered a contagious disease. Therefore, as soon as the child is sick, it should be isolated. He should eat from a separate dish. If there are several children in the family, parents should ensure that nobody touches his toys.
2. During oral hygiene therapy, the child should be given special attention. After each meal, the baby should be taught to rinse your mouth. For the procedure is suitable as ordinary water, and therapeutic broths.
3. After the final recovery, you need to buy a new toothbrush.
4. If a newborn is sick, before every lactation a woman should thoroughly wash her breasts.
5. It is necessary to pay attention to the diet of the patient. Prefer to give light food.

Preventive measures

Viral stomatitis in children, the symptoms of which are described in detail above, can be treated well. The mucous mouth is restored quickly enough. To avoid re-infection, immediately after recovery, you need to discard the brushes and nipples on which the infection might have remained.

Viral stomatitis in children is often the cause of a weakened immune system. Therefore, it is important to follow simple rules of prevention:

1. It is necessary to monitor the condition of the child's teeth, at least once a year to show it to the dentist.
2. It is necessary to periodically carry out measures to strengthen immunity (hardening, vitamins), because the infection primarily affects the weakened babies.
3. Parents should constantly monitor the child's diet.

Compliance with such simple rules avoids infection with viral stomatitis.