VIRAL INFECTIONS OF THE ORAL MUCOSA – SYMPTOMS AND THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES

Berlin-Chemie/A. Menarini Bulgaria company`s presentation

Prof. Dr. Vladimir Panov DMD, PhD, DSc

Department of Conservative Dentistry and Oral Pathology

Faculty of Dental Medicine

Medical University “Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov” – Varna, Bulgaria

The oral cavity is particularly susceptible to the manifestations of viral diseases. Viral infections often have a subclinical course and clinical manifestations in the form of oral lesions as a result of viral cell destruction or the immune response to viral proteins.

Oral lesions are in many cases the initial manifestation or even the only sign of a disease. Such lesions can represent a diagnostic challenge due to the diverse clinical picture. The DNA viruses most often affecting the oral mucosa are representatives of the Herpesviridae, Papillomaviridae and Poxviridae families, and the RNA viruses – Enteroviruses and Paramyxoviruses. Making a definitive diagnosis is sometimes extremely difficult. Timely diagnosis of lesions reduces the risk of complications.

In immunocompetent individuals, most viral infections of the oral mucosa resolve within two weeks with symptomatic treatment alone. In some cases, an interdisciplinary team of physicians may be needed to establish a definitive diagnosis, initiate therapy, and refer high-risk patients. Proper coordination and communication of the interdisciplinary team of physicians will minimize the morbidity associated with prolonged, severe, or untreated illness.