Definition
Mouth rot in children is a very painful inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa. Mouth rot (also known as gingivostomatitis herpetica) usually occurs at the age of 10 months to three years and is triggered by the child’s first contact with herpes simplex virus type 1. Usually, fever occurs during the disease and – due to the painful inflammation in the mouth – the child refuses to eat.
Many small aphtae and yellowish wounds form, especially on the gums and palate. The inner sides of the lips and tongue can also be affected. General information can be found here: The mouth rot
Causes of oral thrush
The trigger of oral thrush in children is the first contact with the herpes simplex virus type 1, which is transmitted from person to person. Most adults carry the herpes virus in themselves, but a strengthened immune system does not always cause the disease to break out, but they can still transmit the herpes virus. With children it is different: they come into contact with the herpes virus for the first time and their immune system is still developing, so infection and the spread of oral thrush in the oral cavity occurs quickly.
The disease is highly infectious and is transmitted via saliva. The herpes virus is very often transmitted from the parents to the child. Everyday situations are often the trigger; licking the pacifier, sharing the cutlery or a simple kiss are enough to transmit the herpes virus.
Particularly in the case of acute lip herpes in one parent, any oral contact with the child should be avoided. Sometimes transmission from child to child occurs through toys that are put in the mouth by the children. Herpes simplex viruses are transmitted via contact infection, which includes smear and droplet infection.
The virus is mainly transmitted via saliva. Children suffering from oral thrush excrete the viruses via saliva into the environment. The viruses survive and can be absorbed by other people. Depending on the state of the immune system, either the initial infection or the secondary infection occurs, the latter manifesting itself in lip herpes, whereby the initial infection usually develops into oral thrush. During the period of the disease, one should pay more attention to adequate hygiene.
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