Background Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (PHGS) in children, though usually self-limited, might mimic bacterial and enteroviral pharyngitis clinically. We conducted a study to define the clinical features of PHGS in children. Methods Between January 2012 and December 2016, 282 inpatients aged less than 19 years with cell culture-confirmed herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in a medical center were identified from the virologic laboratory logbook. Clinical data were retrospectively collected. Results Among the 282 inpatients, 185 cases were considered as PHGS and were included for analysis. Fever was present in 99.5%. The mean duration of fever was 5.11 days (±2.24) with the longest being 17 days. Common oral manifestations included oral ulcers (84.3%), which equally resided in the anterior and posterior part of the oral cavity (65.4% vs. 63.2%), gum swelling and/or bleeding (67.6%), and exudate coated tonsils (16.8%). Leukocytosis (WBC count > 15,000/uL3) was noted in 52 patients (28.1%) and a serum C-reactive protein level > 40 mg/L in 55 patients (29.7%). Fixty-five patients (35%) were diagnosed with PHGS on admission and were significantly more likely to have ulcers over the anterior oral cavity (76.1% vs. 26.7%) and gum swelling/bleeding (76.2% vs. 7.5%, p-value all < 0.001) on admission and were significantly less likely to receive antibiotic treatment (16.9 vs. 36.7%, p-value < 0.01) than others. Forty-six patients (25%) undiagnosed as PHGS on discharge were significantly more likely to have exudate coated on the tonsils, to receive antibiotic treatment and significantly less likely to have gum swelling/bleeding and oral ulcers (all p-values < 0.01). Conclusions Meticulously identifying specific oral manifestations of gum swelling/bleeding and ulcers over the anterior oral cavity in children can help making the diagnosis of PHGS earlier and subsequently reduce unnecessary prescription of antibiotics.

Background: Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (PHGS) in children, though usually self-limited, might mimic bacterial and enteroviral pharyngitis clinically. We conducted a study to define the clinical features of PHGS in children.Methods: Between January 2012 and December 2016, 282 inpatients aged less than 19 years with cell culture-confirmed herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in a medical center were identified from the virologic laboratory logbook. Clinical data were retrospectively collected.Results: Among the 282 inpatients, 185 cases were considered as PHGS and were included for analysis. Fever was present in 99.5%. The mean duration of fever was 5.11 days (±2.24) with the longest being 17 days. Common oral manifestations included oral ulcers (84.3%), which equally resided in the anterior and posterior part of the oral cavity (65.4% vs. 63.2%), gum swelling and/or bleeding (67.6%), and exudate coated tonsils (16.8%). Leukocytosis (WBC count >15,000/uL3) was noted in 52 patients (28.1%) and a serum C-reactive protein level >40 mg/L in 55 patients (29.7%). 65 patients (35%) were diagnosed with PHGS on admission and were significantly more likely to have ulcers over the anterior oral cavity (76.1% vs. 26.7%) and gum swelling/bleeding (76.2% vs. 7.5%, p-value all <0.001) on admission and were significantly less likely to receive antibiotic treatment (16.9 vs. 36.7%, p-value < 0.01) than others. 46 patients (25%) undiagnosed as PHGS on discharge were significantly more likely to have exudate coated on the tonsils, to receive antibiotic treatment and significantly less likely to have gum swelling/bleeding and oral ulcers (all p-values < 0.01). Conclusions: Meticulously identifying specific oral manifestations of gum swelling/bleeding and ulcers over the anterior oral cavity in children can help making the diagnosis of PHGS earlier and subsequently reduce unnecessary prescription of antibiotics.

Background: Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (PHGS) in children, though usually self-limited, might mimic bacterial and enteroviral pharyngitis clinically. We conducted a study to define the clinical features of PHGS in children. Methods: Between January 2012 to December 2016, 282 inpatients aged less than 19 years with culture-confirmed herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in a medical center were identified. Clinical data were retrospectively collected. Results: Among the 282 inpatients, 185 cases were considered as PHGS and included for analysis. 99.5% had fever. The mean duration of fever was 5.11 days (± 2.24) with the longest being 17 days. The common oral manifestations included oral ulcers (84.3%), which equally resided in the anterior and posterior part of the oral cavity (65.4% vs. 63.2%), gum swelling and/or bleeding (67.6%), and exudate coated tonsils (16.8%). Leukocytosis (WBC count > 15,000/uL3) was noted in 52 patients (28.1%) and a serum C-reactive protein level > 40 mg/L in 55 patients (29.7%). 65 patients (35%) were diagnosed as PHGS on admission and were significantly more likely to have ulcers over the anterior oral cavity (76.1% vs. 26.7%) and gum swelling/bleeding (76.2% vs. 7.5%, p all < 0.001) on admission and were significantly less likely to receive antibiotic treatment (16.9 vs. 36.7%, p < 0.01) than others. 46 patients (25%) undiagnosed as PHGS on discharge were significantly more likely to have exudate coated on tonsils, receive antibiotic treatment and significantly less likely to have gum swelling/bleeding and oral ulcers (all p values < 0.01). Conclusion: Meticulously identifying specific oral manifestations of gum swelling/bleeding and/or ulcers over the anterior oral cavity in children can differentiate PHGS from both bacterial and enteroviral pharyngitis and subsequently reduce unnecessary prescription of antibiotics and medical cost.

Background Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (PHGS) in children, though usually self-limited, might mimic bacterial and enteroviral pharyngitis clinically. We conducted a study to define the clinical features of PHGS in children. Methods Between January 2012 to December 2016, 282 inpatients aged less than 19 years with cell culture-confirmed herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in a medical center were identified from the virologic laboratory logbook. Clinical data were retrospectively collected. Results Among the 282 inpatients, 185 cases were considered as PHGS and included for analysis. 99.5% had fever. The mean duration of fever was 5.11 days (±2.24) with the longest being 17 days. The common oral manifestations included oral ulcers (84.3%), which equally resided in the anterior and posterior part of the oral cavity (65.4% vs. 63.2%), gum swelling and/or bleeding (67.6%), and exudate coated tonsils (16.8%). Leukocytosis (WBC count >15,000/uL3) was noted in 52 patients (28.1%) and a serum C-reactive protein level >40 mg/L in 55 patients (29.7%). 65 patients (35%) were diagnosed as PHGS on admission and were significantly more likely to have ulcers over the anterior oral cavity (76.1% vs. 26.7%) and gum swelling/bleeding (76.2% vs. 7.5%, p-value all <0.001) on admission and were significantly less likely to receive antibiotic treatment (16.9 vs. 36.7%, p-value < 0.01) than others. 46 patients (25%) undiagnosed as PHGS on discharge were significantly more likely to have exudate coated on tonsils, receive antibiotic treatment and significantly less likely to have gum swelling/bleeding and oral ulcers (all p values < 0.01). Conclusions Meticulously identifying specific oral manifestations of gum swelling/bleeding and ulcers over the anterior oral cavity in children can differentiate PHGS from both bacterial and enteroviral pharyngitis and subsequently reduce unnecessary prescription of antibiotics.

Background:Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (PHGS) in children, though usually self-limited, might mimic bacterial and enteroviral pharyngitis clinically. We conducted a study to define the clinical features of PHGS in children.Methods:Between January 2012 and December 2016, 282 inpatients aged less than 19 years with cell culture-confirmed herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in a medical center were identified from the virologic laboratory logbook. Clinical data were retrospectively collected.Results:Among the 282 inpatients, 185 cases were considered as PHGS and were included for analysis. Fever was present in 99.5%. The mean duration of fever was 5.11 days (±2.24) with the longest being 17 days. Common oral manifestations included oral ulcers (84.3%), which equally resided in the anterior and posterior part of the oral cavity (65.4% vs. 63.2%), gum swelling and/or bleeding (67.6%), and exudate coated tonsils (16.8%). Leukocytosis (WBC count >15,000/uL3) was noted in 52 patients (28.1%) and a serum C-reactive protein level >40 mg/L in 55 patients (29.7%). 65 patients (35%) were diagnosed with PHGS on admission and were significantly more likely to have ulcers over the anterior oral cavity (76.1% vs. 26.7%) and gum swelling/bleeding (76.2% vs. 7.5%, p-value all <0.001) on admission and were significantly less likely to receive antibiotic treatment (16.9 vs. 36.7%, p-value < 0.01) than others. 46 patients (25%) undiagnosed as PHGS on discharge were significantly more likely to have exudate coated on the tonsils, to receive antibiotic treatment and significantly less likely to have gum swelling/bleeding and oral ulcers (all p-values < 0.01).Conclusions:Meticulously identifying specific oral manifestations of gum swelling/bleeding and ulcers over the anterior oral cavity in children can help making the diagnosis of PHGS earlier and subsequently reduce unnecessary prescription of antibiotics.