can impetigo spread inside the mouth? or is it herpes?

[DorotheaPlenticlew]

DS (20m) has been diagnosed with impetigo plus an associated slight fever and a bit of redness in ears (as in, visible to doc looking into ears). He has three sores around his mouth (first one appeared 48 hours ago).

Until today he ate well, as usual, but today at lunch he gave a great cry of pain and was inconsolable from the moment he started chewing his food (poor soul was saying "hungry" and "sore" through the tears). Lunch had to be abandoned. He won't let me get a proper look into his mouth but I think I can see another of the sores (bit like ulcers) inside one cheek. Rang GP, who said that impetigo is rarely inside the mouth, but that it's theoretically possible so no change to diagnosis (fair enough as we were just talking on the phone and I don't have a lot of evidence). I have subsequently been reading threads here and fear it could be herpes.

Have read several other threads but struggling a bit to work out whether I am just being paranoid -- any advice?

Sounds similar to what my Dd had last year. Hand foot and mouth. She had it in her mouth, on her lips, on her tongue, only one on a finger and loads on her legs and buttocks. Apparantly, they don't always appear on the palms and soles.

My GP initially said tonsilitus until I pointed out the ulcers on her tongue, then he said it was the cold sore virus, but none of us get cold sores and with help from MN and Google, I think it was definitely HFM.

Ice lollies are very soothing.
Dd couldn't eat for ages(well about 10 days ~ seemed longer)and it changed her good eating habits and hearty appetite to a poor and fussy eater. Perhaps you could ask a good pharmacist for their opinion?

Did your Ds have a temperature at all prior to the ulcers? I've just checked on my old thread and it seems Dd did for several days.

I don't think that he really had a temp -- he was teething and had a rash in the few days before, but that's it. The temp seemed to come at the same time as the sores around his mouth, or if anything just after.

Not saying that you are wrong though. So far, there's nothing showing up on legs, feet, hands or bottom but I will keep an eye out. It's mad how many times I have read/heard tales of GPs basically just guessing at a diagnosis for these things! Can't blame them for being uncertain when symptoms overlap, but still, I'd rather they just sometimes said "it could be one of a few things and frankly I can't be 100% sure".

None of us here get cold sores either but DS has picked up so many things at nursery that I wouldn't rule anything out. Hoping it's not herpes though -- hate to think of him having to manage it his whole life, how annoying!

Thanks for the ice lollies tip

I should add, by way of not sounding unfair to GPs, that in fact ours did start by saying she couldn't be sure, but then seemed to plump for impetigo in order (I felt) to avoid seeming vague.

OK, prob nobody has time to reply to this just now (tea/bedtimes coming up I guess) but there are def ulcers in DS's wee mouth, and I just tried to brush his teeth as gently as possible but it was dreadful, screams of anguish and a fair gush of blood from sore areas. I feel so sad for him, he just keeps repeating "sore" and he wasn't even able to nap today, just kept crying.

Help!

I did visit a pharma the moment it all started, by the way, but they just referred me to the GP -- I could perhaps go back to the pharmacist now symptoms are more advanced, I suppose.

I am worried about gingivastomatitis as well ... another thread on here has a description of that and it sounds a bit like what DS has.

actually very like. oh dear, am getting into worry spiral

bump

bump -- I know this is getting old but not giving up the quest for advice yet. My main question is just: do people generally think the GP is right about impetigo, despite the development of ulcers in mouth making it too sore to eat? Thanks in advance.

DS seems so distressed (getting ready for bed now). Really unhappy despite plenty o'painkillers and really unable to eat. No sign of sores on body so far, just mahoosive white, open ulcer at side of mouth and smaller ones on chin, plus at least two ulcers in mouth.

bump -- I know this is getting old, sorry, but not giving up the quest for advice yet. My main question is just: do people generally think the GP is right about impetigo, despite the development of ulcers in mouth making it too sore to eat? Thanks in advance.

DS seems so distressed (getting ready for bed now). Really unhappy despite plenty o'painkillers and really unable to eat. No sign of sores on body so far, just mahoosive white, open ulcer at side of mouth and smaller ones on chin, plus at least two ulcers in mouth.

I know they say that googling too many things can turn you into a wreck and self diagnosis is not the way to go, but have you googled images of impetigo and HFM? Might be worth a look to see what you think...

Don't brush his teeth until it's cleared up as it could traumatise him. I did Dd's without knowing of the ulcers and I felt terrible .
Lot's of water to drink, sucking ice lollies...no acidic foods as they'll sting him like crazy.

Remember that both of these infections are highly contagious, so all the toys, cot sides, stair gates etc will need cleaning down.

I do hope you get it sorted.

Thanks. We took him to hosp this morning and got a revised diagnosis: it is herpes, not impetigo. Poor sausage. I am sad for him, but at least we know what it is now and can manage it without worrying that we are treating it incorrectly.

Thanks again for the advice

Well, I'm glad you are now in a better position. As you say, it is sad for him, but at least you'll be more prepared now if/when it flares up again.

All the best.