viral stomatitis

Last reviewed 01/2018

There are four common viral infections which cause inflammation of the mouth:

  • herpes simplex type I:
    • stomatitis in association with cold sores

  • hand, foot and mouth disease:
    • due to a Coxsackie A virus
    • commonly in children
    • vesicles in mouth, palm of hands and soles of feet

  • herpes zoster:
    • mouth may be involved in a herpetic eruption in the territory of the fifth cranial nerve
    • vesicles are usually unilateral

  • glandular fever:
    • caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus
    • palatal petechiae are associated with acute tonsillitis and pharyngitis