Oral manifestations of herpes simplex virus infections

Most individuals are infected with Herpes Simplex in childhood usually suffering a mild febrile illness of no consequence. Later some individuals suffer recurrent infections which appear as cold sores on the lip while others intermittently shed virus in the oro-pharygeal secretions. Adults uninfected in childhood may be exposed to viruses for example by kissing and develop an acute primary herpes with fever and gingivo-stomatitis occasionally requiring hospital admission. Awareness of this condition is required for diagnosis after which the majority of patients seen in otolaryngological practice need only supportive therapy, explanation and reassurance. Recurrent cold sores are no more that a nuisance in most patients, but occasionally they are severe and in others the cold sore may precipitate oral erythema multiforme. Unfortunately the treatments available for recurrent cold sores are rather unsatisfactory.