Paediatric infections: herpetic gingivostomatitis: practice question

A Pediatrics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pediatrics · Paediatric infections: herpetic gingivostomatitis

Sample item

A 2-year-old has high fever, drooling, refusal to feed, and swollen bleeding gums with vesicles and shallow ulcers on the lips, tongue and gingiva. The palms and soles are normal. What is the likely cause?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Herpes simplex virus type 1

Primary HSV-1 infection in toddlers causes gingivostomatitis with fever, a diffusely inflamed gum margin and vesicles that ulcerate. Hand, foot and mouth disease shows lesions on the hands and feet. Oral aciclovir started early shortens illness, and hydration is vital.

Option by option

  • A. Corynebacterium diphtheriae

    Diphtheria causes a grey pharyngeal membrane, not gingival vesicles.

  • B. Candida albicans

    Candidiasis causes white plaques without fever or vesicles.

  • C. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (correct)

    Correct. Fever with swollen friable gums and perioral vesicles indicates primary HSV-1 infection.

  • D. Coxsackievirus A16

    Coxsackie A16 causes hand, foot and mouth disease with palm and sole lesions.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is C, Herpes simplex virus type 1. Primary HSV-1 infection in toddlers causes gingivostomatitis with fever, a diffusely inflamed gum margin and vesicles that ulcerate.

Why is "Corynebacterium diphtheriae" not the answer?

Diphtheria causes a grey pharyngeal membrane, not gingival vesicles.

Why is "Candida albicans" not the answer?

Candidiasis causes white plaques without fever or vesicles.

Why is "Coxsackievirus A16" not the answer?

Coxsackie A16 causes hand, foot and mouth disease with palm and sole lesions.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric infections: herpetic gingivostomatitis in Pediatrics. Hand, foot and mouth disease shows lesions on the hands and feet. Oral aciclovir started early shortens illness, and hydration is vital.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Paediatric infections: herpetic gingivostomatitis?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.