| Gingivostomatitis is an infection caused by the herpes virus. This is the same virus that commonly causes fever blisters or cold sores, but the first time you get infected, you get the more classic symptoms of herpes gingivostomatitis. It is most common in younger children, aged 6 months to 5 years.
The symptoms of this common infection include a high fever, irritability, swollen glands, loss of appetite and the appearance of small blisters on your child's gums and inside his mouth. The blisters quickly become painful ulcers and typically last for up to a week.
Treatment is aimed at keeping your child comfortable and include pain and fever relievers and fluids to prevent dehydration.
Topical pain medicines are also sometimes helpful. One common method to decrease pain is to have a pharmacy mix up equal parts of Benadryl and Maalox, which you can use to coat the ulcers. If your child is swallowing the mixture, be sure not to exceed the recommended dosages of Benadryl.
Acyclovir, an antiviral medication, although not commonly used, may help your child get better faster, but it must be given 5 times a day to be effective.
This infection is highly contagious and you should avoid contact with the ulcers and saliva, which can contain the virus. Symptoms usually develop about 2 to 12 days after having contact with an infected person. One of the problems with this infection is that you may continue to shed virus or be contagious for weeks or months after you get better.
It is especially important to avoid contact with newborns and young infants when your child has this infection, as it can cause very serious illness in young children.
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