HERPETIC STOMATITIS: BIOLOGY, CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS AND PROPHYLAXIS

Herpetic stomatitis is a common oral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), affecting a large portion of the global population, particularly children and young adults. During primary infection in children, the disease can manifest as severe gingivostomatitis, accompanied by high fever and painful oral ulcers. For immunocompromised patients, the infection carries a risk of serious complications, including dissemination to internal organs and the central nervous system. The disease leads to severe consequences not only for health but also socio-economically. It increases medical costs, causes absenteeism from work and school, and leads to nutritional and developmental problems in children. Current treatment is aimed only at suppressing the virus and cannot completely eliminate it from the body. Furthermore, antibiotic resistance, the lack of prophylactic vaccines, and the incomplete understanding of its pathogenesis necessitate new research. This article is dedicated to analyzing the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and prevention methods of herpetic stomatitis based on modern scientific data. It discusses the virus's replication mechanisms, immune response, various forms and complications of the disease, as well as individual and public health preventive measures. The article aims to provide useful knowledge and recommendations for clinicians in practice, aiding in early detection, correct diagnosis, and the organization of effective prevention strategies.