Viral causes affecting the oral mucosa

Abstract

The soft tissues of the mouth, oropharynx and salivary glands are particularly susceptible to various viral infections, some of which are site‐specific. The most common viral agents affecting children are the herpesviruses, papillomaviruses and coxsackieviruses. Viral infections relevant to oral health mainly result in oral ulcerations or oral tumours, and may be limited to acute infections, but recurrences and even malignancies on the basis of viral infections can be seen. Vaccination programmes are increasingly preventing many severe viral childhood infections. This has certainly changed the panorama of viral infections affecting children around the world, but childhood viral infections are still a serious health problem in developing countries, and outbreaks of specific viral diseases in highly developed countries are frequently reported. This chapter will focus on the most common viral diseases affecting the oral mucosa, with special emphasis on children.