Challenges in Diagnosis and Therapy of Recurrent Oral Herpes Infection: Study of Two Cases

Abstract

The symptoms of recurrent oral herpes infection may vary, from mild discomfort to life threatening. Dentists are more likely to be consulted in this oral infection, hence the ability to diagnose and treat this disease is mandatory. This article described manifestation and therapy of recurrent oral herpes infection. In the first case, a 41-year-old woman came with a complaint of painful sore mouth in her lower gingiva. She experienced canker sores for two to three times a year on the tongue, lips and palate. Laboratory results showed positive IgM anti HSV-2, which matched with the primary herpes infection. However, based on the history and clinical manifestations, she was diagnosed with recurrent intra oral herpes infection. In the second case, a 70-year-old man came with a very painful canker sores in his entire mouth. The patient had to be hospitalised for three days and received analgesic, antibiotic and gel containing triamcinolone. After hospitalisation, canker sores did not heal. Extraorally, we found a crust in the vermillion border of the upper lip and intraorally, we found multiple ulceration of keratinised and non-keratinised mucosa. The use of topical steroid in this patient may aggravated ulceration due to its ability to cause rapid spreading of the virus. The first patient was given chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% and the second patient was prescribed with doxycycline rinse. Both patients received multivitamin containing zinc. Complete history taking, objective and adjunctive examination played a role in establishing the diagnosis and treatment of recurrent oral herpes infections.