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Article: Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis in young children.
- Article from:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Article date:
- May 1, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Jannetti Publications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The herpes virus is ubiquitous, passing from person to person through contaminated secretions or lesions. At least 70% of the American population has been infected, likely occurring in early childhood (Murph & Grose, 1999). Worldwide, the rate of infection is over 85% (Rosen & Ablon, 1997). After levels of passively acquired maternal antibodies have diminished, infants and young children are at increased risk for acquiring infections. Sealander and Kerr (1989) reported that children ages 2 to 4 are most susceptible to herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections.
The human herpes virus family consists of eight currently known pathogens that represent the most frequent ...