Viral infections of the oral mucosa – symptoms and therapeutic approaches

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.

Prof. Dr. Vladimir Emanuilov Panov

Dr. Panov graduated from the Faculty of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of Sofia in 2001. In 2009 he became an assistant professor in the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Pediatric Dentistry at the Medical University of Varna. From 2013 to 2021 he was a head of the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Oral Pathology, and from 2014 to 2016 he was also a head of the Department of Pediatric Dental Medicine, Dental Medicine Faculty at Medical University Varna. He defended his dissertation for obtaining the degree “Doctor of Medical Sciences” in 2016. He has been a professor since 2017. He conducts lecture courses for students of Dental Medicine both in Bulgarian and English in the disciplines: Oral Pathology and Conservative Dentistry. He has been a scientific supervisor to eleven doctoral students, all of whom have successfully defended their dissertations, and three of them have further acquired the academic position of "associate professor". He specializes in “Dental Clinical Allergology” and “Operative Dentistry and Endodontics”. He is holder of the badge of honor "Signum Laudis Pro Scienmeritis". He is the author of over 120 publications; has participated in the compilation of 9 textbook; has produced 3 monographs, and 2 manuals. His impact factor from publications and participation in various for a is over 36, the citations of his publications are over 500, he has led 6 funded research projects. Vl. Panov is a co-founder of the Bulgarian Association of Oral Medicine and Editor-in-Chief of Medinform-Journal of Medical and Dental Practice.