Pharynx and tonsils: herpetic gingivostomatitis: practice question

A ENT 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.

Try it

ENT · Pharynx and tonsils: herpetic gingivostomatitis

Sample item

A 3-year-old has fever, drooling, swollen bleeding gums and clusters of small ulcers on the lips and palate. What is the most appropriate drug treatment, started early?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Oral aciclovir with hydration and analgesia

Primary herpes simplex gingivostomatitis is treated with aciclovir if seen early, with fluids and analgesia. Penicillin does not act on viruses and steroid would worsen the infection. Hydration is the main concern.

Option by option

  • A. Topical steroid gel

    A topical steroid could spread the viral infection.

  • B. Oral aciclovir with hydration and analgesia (correct)

    Correct. Early aciclovir with fluids and analgesia treats primary herpetic gingivostomatitis.

  • C. Oral penicillin V

    Penicillin acts on bacteria and does not treat a herpes virus.

  • D. Nystatin suspension

    Nystatin treats candidiasis, which gives wipeable plaques and no vesicles.

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.

More ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is B, Oral aciclovir with hydration and analgesia. Primary herpes simplex gingivostomatitis is treated with aciclovir if seen early, with fluids and analgesia.

Why is "Topical steroid gel" not the answer?

A topical steroid could spread the viral infection.

Why is "Oral penicillin V" not the answer?

Penicillin acts on bacteria and does not treat a herpes virus.

Why is "Nystatin suspension" not the answer?

Nystatin treats candidiasis, which gives wipeable plaques and no vesicles.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pharynx and tonsils: herpetic gingivostomatitis in ENT. Penicillin does not act on viruses and steroid would worsen the infection. Hydration is the main concern.

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 Pharynx and tonsils: herpetic gingivostomatitis?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.