Sammanfattning
This review article describes some common intraoral viral infections
general dentists may encounter in their daily clinical practise.
Infections with the herpes simplex virus often have an acute character
with a biphasic natural course. The infection often makes its
first appearance with pain and it is important to distinguish this
from dental instigated pain. The clinical picture varies but has multiple
vesicles as key features. Treatment with antiviral agents may
arise in difficult cases, if so the start of treatment is crucial.
Unlike herpes simplex infections, human papilloma virus infections
are essentially asymptomatic. They also have a more wart-like
growth pattern. The high frequency of human papillomaviruses in
premalignant condition and in certain types of oral cancer indicates
association with these different forms of oral mucosal lesions. It is
unclear, however, if human papilloma virus infection is a significant
risk factor for developing oral cancer. Treatment of human papilloma
virus-induced oral mucosal lesions is surgical.
Coxsackie viruses can give rise to so-called autumn blisters, in
English is known as hand, foot and mouth disease. It is a mild
disease that usually affects children under 10 years of age, though
adults can become affected also. Prodromal symptoms are characterized
by mild fever and malaise. Oral vesicles and desquamations
follow shortly after. No specific treatment exists and spontaneous
healing is usually achieved within 1-2 weeks.