Herpes in the tongue in children and adults: causes, symptoms with photos and treatment
Among the inflammatory diseases of the tongue there are bacterial, fungal, viral. All infectious agents are susceptible to different medications, therefore before treating a cold in the tongue, you need to determine the type of pathogen. Reliable diagnosis is possible only in a medical institution, but further treatment of herpes is carried out at home.
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Causes of herpes infection
Doctors say that approximately 90% of the population is infected with the herpes virus. There are several types of herpes viruses, but all varieties have a common feature: once penetrated into the human body, viral particles remain in it forever.
Photo: a cold in the tongue
They are embedded in human chromosomes and may not cause any pathological manifestations for a long time, but they are activated and provoke the development of acute infection under the influence of predisposing factors. Most often, herpes is manifested with:
- Weak immunity.
- Failures in the hormonal background.
- Overheating or hypothermia of the body.
- Avitaminosis.
- Complicated injuries.
- Stressful situations.
Different types of herpes affect different organs. There are varieties of herpes viruses that cause diseases of the nervous system, reproductive organs, eyes, and skin. Herpes of the first type provokes the appearance of watery vesicles in the tongue in children and adults. The people call this ailment a cold in the tongue. But this disease has nothing to do with a cold infection caused by SARS.
The direct cause of the development of herpetic infection is the primary infection with viral particles, which can occur when in contact with sick people or when sharing some household items.
Symptoms of herpes on the tongue, what herpetic eruptions look like
Under the influence of favorable conditions, viral particles that are in a dormant state in the DNA of the host cells are activated and begin to multiply in the soft tissues of the oral cavity. Herpes of the tongue is accompanied by such symptoms:
- The main sign of a viral infection is the appearance in the tongue of small papules filled with liquid. They look like numerous yellowish vesicles.
- Bubbles can be painless or painful, itchy. They burst easily and form ulcers.
- The mucous membrane of the oral cavity can be edematous.
- Due to discomfort in the mouth, appetite may be lost, especially in children.
- The inflammatory process provokes a rise in temperature to 40 ° C, chills, body aches and headaches.
- Perhaps the occurrence of a runny nose, cough.
The first stages of herpes, not accompanied by fever and fever, pass quickly - in 2–4 days. Before complete recovery and healing of the sores that formed on the site of bursting vesicles, 10-12 days can pass.
Photo: this is the initial stage of herpes in the tongue
Photo: the last stage of herpes in the tongue of a child
Diagnosis of herpes infection
If a herpes infection is suspected, the doctor examines the patient's oral cavity and skin. If the suspicion is confirmed, PCR analyzes and ELISA are prescribed. Determining the strain of the virus, the phase of the disease and the duration of infection helps to prescribe a more effective treatment.
In addition to these tests, the patient may be prescribed general blood and urine tests. They are necessary to assess the general condition of the body and identify associated pathological changes.
Features of the treatment of herpes in the tongue
Despite the fact that many people consider a cold in the tongue a harmless disease, it is impossible to cure this disease with any of the existing methods. Scientists are still developing medical methods for treating herpes and more modern ones, such as gene therapy. But so far no one has been able to completely eliminate herpes virus from the body of an infected person.
This does not mean that a person with herpes in the tongue is in mortal danger - the treatment of the symptoms of the disease is carried out quite successfully and quickly. But you cannot delay a doctor’s visit: the disease depletes the body and reduces immunity, a secondary bacterial infection can join it, and frequent relapses of herpetic infection (more than 5 times a year) may indicate weak immunity caused by other hidden serious diseases.
How to treat a cold in an adult language
Hoping to quickly get rid of the rash, people try to treat herpes in the tongue at home with alcohol-containing antiseptics (brilliant green, iodine), but such therapy is quite dangerous. Alcohol can leave a chemical burn on the irritated mucous membrane of the tongue, after which it will become defenseless against any bacterial infection. And against the causative agents of the common cold, such antiseptics are ineffective.
Herpes in the tongue can be treated only with those drugs that were prescribed by a doctor after diagnosis. At home, an effective treatment will not work. Choosing medicines on his own, a person risks his health.
| Herpes Symptoms | Prescription drug groups |
|---|---|
| Bubbles in the language | Antiviral tablets for oral administration (for example, Acyclovir), injection or ointment. Interferon-based drugs to mobilize the body's defenses. Alcohol-free antiseptics. |
| Fever | Antipyretic drugs. |
| General malaise and weak immunity | Multivitamin preparations, vitamin C. |
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To eliminate discomfort, the doctor may advise rinsing the mouth with decoctions of herbs with an antiseptic effect: sage, oak bark, chamomile. The pain and itching from the vesicles helps to relieve the lubrication of the tongue with beaten egg white or aloe juice, but these procedures can only be used as an addition to the main treatment.
Quicker relieve the symptoms of herpes allows a nutritious diet. Eating fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C is good. You need to drink more fluids.
Treatment of herpes in the tongue of a child
The treatment of colds in the tongue in children should be treated with even greater caution: in adults, the acute phase of the disease usually goes faster and easier, in children it is slower and harder. At home, parents will not be able to diagnose the disease and adequately assess the condition of the baby. Most local and general antiviral drugs are not suitable for use in childhood, therefore, a specialist should deal with the treatment of herpes in a child.
During treatment, the child should not be in contact with other people, especially with children. As in childhood, the body is even more susceptible to infection with herpes infection. Despite the immune defense that is transmitted from the mother and lasts for the first three years of life, even newborns can get herpes.
Do not underestimate the risk of herpes infection. Launched herpes in the tongue can provoke complications, the spread of the rash to larger areas of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and internal organs. To avoid infection, other people need less contact with them during the acute phase of the disease. Use personal utensils and carefully observe hygiene rules.
Read more about herpes in children in the video:
