Health Encyclopedia

Herpes esophagitis

Definition

Herpes esophagitis is a viral infection that involves inflammation and ulcers in the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The herpes simplex virus causes herpes esophagitis.

Infection of the esophagus by the herpes simplex virus is rare in people with normal immune systems and usually runs its course without treatment. However, severe and persistent esophagitis can occur in people with a suppressed or weakened immune system.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

Chills
Difficulty swallowing
Fever
Herpes in the mouth (herpes labialis)
Joint pain or other general symptoms
Painful swallowing

Healthy people recover on their own in 3 - 5 days, but those with a weakened immune system take longer to get better.

Signs and tests

Culture of cells from the esophagus
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with or without biopsy

Treatment

The objective of treatment is to control the infection with antiviral medications. Some people also get pain medicine.

Expectations (prognosis)

Esophagitis can usually be treated effectively. The outcome depends upon the immune system problem that makes the person more likely to develop the infection.

Complications

Complications include recurrent infections.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have any condition that can cause reduced immune response and you develop symptoms of herpes esophagitis.

Prevention

The herpes simplex virus is contagious by direct contact, so avoid contact with known herpes lesions.

Review Date:11/1/2007
Reviewed By:Kenneth M. Wener, M.D., Department of Infectious Diseases, Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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