obligatory involvement of the oral mucosa
Definition
Viral diseases are viral infections caused by viruses. There are different possible ways of transmission. Mostly, including the typical children's diseases, the viruses are transmitted via droplet infection.
Listed in this chapter are the commonest viral diseases with oral manifestation. Some are more pronounced than other but generally display a primary or only obligatory involvement of the oral mucosa.
Because symptoms often first occur in the oral cavity, the patients frequently consult a dentist first before visiting a physician. In that way it is not only important to recognize a viral disease to find the right treatment but also to refer the patient to a doctor if necessary.
It happens sometimes that painful and viral symptoms of the oral mucosa facilitate to the neglect of oral hygiene. The resulting gingivitis could encourage a super-infection or overlay the underlying viral disease.
Attention! Scarlet fever is indeed not caused by viruses but belongs to the typical children's diseases and is therefore categorised as such in this chapter.