Viral Etiology of Glossitis

Primary Viral Etiology

• EBV-related oral lesions in infectious mononucleosis include erythema and diffuse injection of oral and pharyngeal mucosae, though these typically do not present with exudates, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics 1

Secondary Viral Associations

• VZV can cause encephalitis and is a relatively common cause of viral encephalitis, especially in immunocompromised patients, as reported by the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2
• While VZV primarily affects other mucosal surfaces, its role in direct glossitis is less established, with moderate evidence from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 3
• CMV occurs almost exclusively in immunocompromised hosts and can cause pericarditis and encephalitis, with high evidence from the European Society of Cardiology 4

Treatment Approach

Supportive Care

• Warm saline mouthwashes to cleanse the oral cavity, as recommended by the American Dental Association 1
• Systemic analgesics (ibuprofen or paracetamol) for pain relief, with strong evidence from the World Health Organization 5
• Topical analgesics such as benzydamine hydrochloride rinses may be considered for painful oral lesions, according to the American Academy of Oral Medicine 1