Cause- Primary herpes simplex virus infection of oral epithelium
Transmission- Contact with someone who is harboring the virus
Characteristics- Multiple vesicles that rapture, coalesce, and form ulcers of the lip, buccal and labial mucosa, gingiva, palate, and tongue. Ulcers are painful and initially small and yellow and have red inflammatory boarders. onset is rapid
Dental implications-
Treatment- Fluids, antivirals, antipyretics; antibiotics to prevent secondary infection, oral anesthetic rinses, analgesics
Prognosis- Lesions persist for 12-20 days