Herpes esophagitis

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Herpetic esophagitis

Upper gastrointestinal system

Herpes esophagitis is an infection causing inflammation and ulcers in the esophagus. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus.

Infection of the esophagus by the herpes simplex virus in individuals with normal immune systems is very rare and usually runs its course without treatment, but severe and persistent esophagitis can occur in an immunosuppressed or immunodeficient person.

Herpetic esophagitis causes excruciating pain when swallowing. The infection is frequently associated with fever and occasionally chills. Healthy individuals recover spontaneously in 3 to 5 days but those with weakened immune systems take longer.

Review Date: 02/13/2006
Reviewed By: Monica Gandhi, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.