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.
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 difficult-to-treat esophagitis can occur in people with a suppressed or weakened immune system.
The following raise your risk for herpes esophagitis:
Symptoms include:
In most people, antiviral medication such as acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir can control the infection. Some people also need pain medicine. Many people who are treated for an episode of herpes esophagitis need other, long-term medicines to suppress the virus and prevent reinfection.
Esophagitis can usually be treated effectively. Healthy people recover on their own in 3 - 5 days, but those with a weakened immune system take longer to get better.
The outcome depends upon the immune system problem that makes the person more likely to develop the infection.
Call your health care provider if you have any condition that can cause reduced immune response and you develop symptoms of herpes esophagitis.
The herpes simplex virus is contagious by direct contact, so avoid contact with known herpes sores (lesions).