Rosh Pediatrics Practice Exam

What is the appropriate treatment for a child diagnosed with herpetic gingivostomatitis?

1. Topical antiviral therapy

2. Systemic antibiotics

3. Topical corticosteroids

4. Oral rehydration therapy

The correct answer is: Topical antiviral therapy

Herpetic gingivostomatitis is primarily caused by the herpes simplex virus, commonly type 1. The appropriate treatment for this condition focuses on managing the viral infection and alleviating symptoms. Administering topical antiviral therapy can help reduce the duration and severity of the outbreak by directly targeting the virus. This treatment can be especially beneficial in children, as it not only potentially speeds up healing but also helps to minimize discomfort caused by the lesions. The use of systemic antibiotics is not appropriate in this case since herpetic gingivostomatitis is a viral infection, and antibiotics are effective only against bacterial infections. Topical corticosteroids may reduce inflammation but do not address the underlying viral cause and can also increase the risk of secondary infection. Oral rehydration therapy might be necessary if the child is unable to maintain adequate hydration due to pain while eating or drinking, but it does not treat the viral infection itself. Therefore, using topical antiviral therapy is the most effective approach for managing herpetic gingivostomatitis in children.