Australian Dental Council (ADC) Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

In the context of a recurrent herpes simplex infection in a 6-year-old, herpes labialis is the most likely cause. This condition typically manifests as recurrent outbreaks of cold sores, which are a result of reactivation of the herpes simplex virus (HSV), predominantly HSV-1.

Herpes labialis specifically refers to the lesions that occur on the lips and around the mouth, characterized by painful, vesicular eruptions. The recurrent nature of the infection is linked to the virus's ability to remain dormant in the neuronal ganglia and reactivate under various triggers such as stress, illness, or exposure to sunlight.

Cold sores, while often used interchangeably with herpes labialis, are essentially a symptom of the underlying herpes simplex viral infection rather than distinct causes. Therefore, the term herpes labialis more directly addresses the source of this recurrent condition.

Aphthous ulcers and canker sores, on the other hand, are not caused by the herpes simplex virus; instead, they are thought to be related to other factors such as immune responses, nutritional deficiencies, or stress. Consequently, they do not pertain to the herpes simplex virus infections.