Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
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What Is Herpes Esophagitis?
How Common Is Herpes Esophagitis?
Symptoms of herpes esophagitis are similar to symptoms of other infections involving the throat. They include:
HSV-1, sometimes referred to as the oral herpes virus, is transmitted through kissing and other contact with saliva. But HSV-1 isn’t only transmitted through intimate kissing; it’s also often transmitted within families through casual contact. HSV-1 causes most cases of herpes esophagitis.
Herpes esophagitis is less common in people with a healthy immune system than those who are immunocompromised, but it can happen.People with a healthy immune system who get herpes esophagitis may have other risk factors. For example, they may have other infections of the esophagus.
Other risk factors include:
What Is Eosinophilic Esophagitis?
Symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis are very similar to those for herpes esophagitis. However, people with herpes esophagitis may experience visible sores at the back of the mouth or the throat. Similar sores would not be expected in eosinophilic esophagitis.
Eosinophilic esophagitis can take place in people of any age. It may cause difficulty with eating and failure to thrive. Treatment may involve addressing either the underlying swelling or its causes.
Endoscopyis usually performed under sedation but not general anesthesia. During the procedure, the provider will look for swelling and irritation that is characteristic of esophagitis. They will also take samples from any sores to determine if a herpes virus or other infection is present.
The leading infectious cause of esophagitis iscandidiasis. People can be infected with both candida and herpes in their throats.
Immunocompromised individuals diagnosed with herpes esophagitis may be treated with an antiviral medication such as acyclovir,famciclovir, or valacyclovir. In individuals with a healthy immune system, the condition will usually go away on its own within one to two weeks. However, acyclovir can still be used for treatment.
Herpes Esophagitis in Children
Herpes esophagitis is rare in children, but it can occur.Furthermore, being diagnosed with herpes esophagitis doesn’t mean there is a problem with the child’s immune system. There have been a number of published case reports of herpes esophagitis in healthy children.
Herpes infections may be particularly serious in newborn infants. The biggest concern for transmission is in people who are newly infected during pregnancy.Pregnant people experiencing new herpes symptoms should discuss their delivery plans with their doctor.
Neonatal herpes is less of a concern in the infants of people who are infected with herpes before becoming pregnant.
Herpes virus infections are incredibly common. In 2015–2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that almost half of the population (47.8%) were infected with HSV-1 and around 12% were infected with HSV-2.Most people infected with herpes will never experience herpes esophagitis.
It is possible to reduce your risk of herpes infection or spreading it to other people. You can:
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ullah W, Abdullah HMA, Amjad W, Hussain Q, Saeed J, Hurairah A.Herpes simplex esophagitis in immunocompetent patients: a rare but easily managed condition.S D Med.Rosołowski M, Kierzkiewicz M.Etiology, diagnosis and treatment of infectious esophagitis.Prz Gastroenterol. 2013;8(6):333-337. doi:10.5114/pg.2013.39914Hoversten P, Kamboj AK, Wu TT, Katzka DA.Variations in the clinical course of patients with herpes simplex virus esophagitis based on immunocompetence and presence of underlying esophageal disease.Dig Dis Sci. 2019;64(7):1893-1900. doi:10.1007/s10620-019-05493-xHoversten P, Kamboj AK, Katzka DA.Infections of the esophagus: an update on risk factors, diagnosis, and management.Dis Esophagus. 2018;31(12):10.1093/dote/doy094. doi:10.1093/dote/doy094Hirano I, Furuta GT.Approaches and challenges to management of pediatric and adult patients with eosinophilic esophagitis.Gastroenterology. 2020;158(4):840-851. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.09.052Al-Hussaini AA, Fagih MA.Herpes simplex ulcerative esophagitis in healthy children.Saudi J Gastroenterol. 2011;17(5):353-356. doi:10.4103/1319-3767.84496Bordea MA, Pîrvan A, Gheban D, et al.Infectious esophagitis in Romanian children: from etiology and risk factors to clinical characteristics and endoscopic features.J Clin Med. 2020;9(4):939. doi:10.3390/jcm9040939Shi TL, Huang LJ, Xiong YQ, et al.The risk of herpes simplex virus and human cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy upon adverse pregnancy outcomes: a meta-analysis.J Clin Virol. 2018;104:48-55. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2018.04.016James SH, Kimberlin DW.Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection: epidemiology and treatment.Clin Perinatol. 2015;42(1):47-viii. doi:10.1016/j.clp.2014.10.005McQuillan G, Kruszon-Moran D, Flagg EW, Paulose-Ram R.Prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 in persons aged 14-49: United States.NCHS Data Brief. PMID: 29442994.World Health Organization.Herpes simplex virus.Centers for Disease Control and Infection.Genital herpes—CDC fact sheet (detailed).
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ullah W, Abdullah HMA, Amjad W, Hussain Q, Saeed J, Hurairah A.Herpes simplex esophagitis in immunocompetent patients: a rare but easily managed condition.S D Med.Rosołowski M, Kierzkiewicz M.Etiology, diagnosis and treatment of infectious esophagitis.Prz Gastroenterol. 2013;8(6):333-337. doi:10.5114/pg.2013.39914Hoversten P, Kamboj AK, Wu TT, Katzka DA.Variations in the clinical course of patients with herpes simplex virus esophagitis based on immunocompetence and presence of underlying esophageal disease.Dig Dis Sci. 2019;64(7):1893-1900. doi:10.1007/s10620-019-05493-xHoversten P, Kamboj AK, Katzka DA.Infections of the esophagus: an update on risk factors, diagnosis, and management.Dis Esophagus. 2018;31(12):10.1093/dote/doy094. doi:10.1093/dote/doy094Hirano I, Furuta GT.Approaches and challenges to management of pediatric and adult patients with eosinophilic esophagitis.Gastroenterology. 2020;158(4):840-851. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.09.052Al-Hussaini AA, Fagih MA.Herpes simplex ulcerative esophagitis in healthy children.Saudi J Gastroenterol. 2011;17(5):353-356. doi:10.4103/1319-3767.84496Bordea MA, Pîrvan A, Gheban D, et al.Infectious esophagitis in Romanian children: from etiology and risk factors to clinical characteristics and endoscopic features.J Clin Med. 2020;9(4):939. doi:10.3390/jcm9040939Shi TL, Huang LJ, Xiong YQ, et al.The risk of herpes simplex virus and human cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy upon adverse pregnancy outcomes: a meta-analysis.J Clin Virol. 2018;104:48-55. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2018.04.016James SH, Kimberlin DW.Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection: epidemiology and treatment.Clin Perinatol. 2015;42(1):47-viii. doi:10.1016/j.clp.2014.10.005McQuillan G, Kruszon-Moran D, Flagg EW, Paulose-Ram R.Prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 in persons aged 14-49: United States.NCHS Data Brief. PMID: 29442994.World Health Organization.Herpes simplex virus.Centers for Disease Control and Infection.Genital herpes—CDC fact sheet (detailed).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ullah W, Abdullah HMA, Amjad W, Hussain Q, Saeed J, Hurairah A.Herpes simplex esophagitis in immunocompetent patients: a rare but easily managed condition.S D Med.Rosołowski M, Kierzkiewicz M.Etiology, diagnosis and treatment of infectious esophagitis.Prz Gastroenterol. 2013;8(6):333-337. doi:10.5114/pg.2013.39914Hoversten P, Kamboj AK, Wu TT, Katzka DA.Variations in the clinical course of patients with herpes simplex virus esophagitis based on immunocompetence and presence of underlying esophageal disease.Dig Dis Sci. 2019;64(7):1893-1900. doi:10.1007/s10620-019-05493-xHoversten P, Kamboj AK, Katzka DA.Infections of the esophagus: an update on risk factors, diagnosis, and management.Dis Esophagus. 2018;31(12):10.1093/dote/doy094. doi:10.1093/dote/doy094Hirano I, Furuta GT.Approaches and challenges to management of pediatric and adult patients with eosinophilic esophagitis.Gastroenterology. 2020;158(4):840-851. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.09.052Al-Hussaini AA, Fagih MA.Herpes simplex ulcerative esophagitis in healthy children.Saudi J Gastroenterol. 2011;17(5):353-356. doi:10.4103/1319-3767.84496Bordea MA, Pîrvan A, Gheban D, et al.Infectious esophagitis in Romanian children: from etiology and risk factors to clinical characteristics and endoscopic features.J Clin Med. 2020;9(4):939. doi:10.3390/jcm9040939Shi TL, Huang LJ, Xiong YQ, et al.The risk of herpes simplex virus and human cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy upon adverse pregnancy outcomes: a meta-analysis.J Clin Virol. 2018;104:48-55. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2018.04.016James SH, Kimberlin DW.Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection: epidemiology and treatment.Clin Perinatol. 2015;42(1):47-viii. doi:10.1016/j.clp.2014.10.005McQuillan G, Kruszon-Moran D, Flagg EW, Paulose-Ram R.Prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 in persons aged 14-49: United States.NCHS Data Brief. PMID: 29442994.World Health Organization.Herpes simplex virus.Centers for Disease Control and Infection.Genital herpes—CDC fact sheet (detailed).
Ullah W, Abdullah HMA, Amjad W, Hussain Q, Saeed J, Hurairah A.Herpes simplex esophagitis in immunocompetent patients: a rare but easily managed condition.S D Med.
Rosołowski M, Kierzkiewicz M.Etiology, diagnosis and treatment of infectious esophagitis.Prz Gastroenterol. 2013;8(6):333-337. doi:10.5114/pg.2013.39914
Hoversten P, Kamboj AK, Wu TT, Katzka DA.Variations in the clinical course of patients with herpes simplex virus esophagitis based on immunocompetence and presence of underlying esophageal disease.Dig Dis Sci. 2019;64(7):1893-1900. doi:10.1007/s10620-019-05493-x
Hoversten P, Kamboj AK, Katzka DA.Infections of the esophagus: an update on risk factors, diagnosis, and management.Dis Esophagus. 2018;31(12):10.1093/dote/doy094. doi:10.1093/dote/doy094
Hirano I, Furuta GT.Approaches and challenges to management of pediatric and adult patients with eosinophilic esophagitis.Gastroenterology. 2020;158(4):840-851. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.09.052
Al-Hussaini AA, Fagih MA.Herpes simplex ulcerative esophagitis in healthy children.Saudi J Gastroenterol. 2011;17(5):353-356. doi:10.4103/1319-3767.84496
Bordea MA, Pîrvan A, Gheban D, et al.Infectious esophagitis in Romanian children: from etiology and risk factors to clinical characteristics and endoscopic features.J Clin Med. 2020;9(4):939. doi:10.3390/jcm9040939
Shi TL, Huang LJ, Xiong YQ, et al.The risk of herpes simplex virus and human cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy upon adverse pregnancy outcomes: a meta-analysis.J Clin Virol. 2018;104:48-55. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2018.04.016
James SH, Kimberlin DW.Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection: epidemiology and treatment.Clin Perinatol. 2015;42(1):47-viii. doi:10.1016/j.clp.2014.10.005
McQuillan G, Kruszon-Moran D, Flagg EW, Paulose-Ram R.Prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 in persons aged 14-49: United States.NCHS Data Brief. PMID: 29442994.
World Health Organization.Herpes simplex virus.
Centers for Disease Control and Infection.Genital herpes—CDC fact sheet (detailed).
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