Infectious esophagitis

Definition

Esophagitis is a term for any inflammation, irritation, or swelling of the esophagus. This is the tube that carries food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach.

Infectious esophagitis is an infection of the esophagus from viruses, bacteria, fungi, or yeast. This most often occurs in people with a weak immune system.

Alternative Names

Infection - esophagus; Esophageal infection

Causes

Infectious esophagitis is rare. It often occurs in people with weak immune systems. People who have strong immune systems don't usually develop the infection.

Common causes of a weakened immune system include:

Organisms (germs) that cause esophagitis include fungi, yeast, and viruses. Common organisms include:

Symptoms

Symptoms of infectious esophagitis include:

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and examine your mouth and throat. Tests may include:

You may need to have an upper endoscopy exam. This is a test to examine the lining of the esophagus.

Treatment

Most often, medicines can control the infection. The type of medicine given will depend on the cause of the infection.

Antiviral medicines can treat a herpes infection. Common antiviral medicines for a herpes infection are:

Antifungal medicines can treat candida infection. Common antifungal medicines are:

Antiviral medicines can treat CMV infection. Ganciclovir or foscarnet are given through a vein (intravenously). In some cases, a medicine called valganciclovir, which is taken by mouth, can be used for CMV infection.

Some people may also need pain medicine.

Ask your provider for special diet recommendations. For example, there may be foods you need to avoid eating as your esophagitis heals.

Many people need other long-term medicines to suppress the virus or fungus and to prevent the infection from coming back.

Outlook (Prognosis)

In people with a healthy immune system, esophagitis often goes away on its own. People with a weak immune system may take longer to get better.

Possible Complications

Health problems that may result from infectious esophagitis include:

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if you have any condition that can cause reduced immune response and you develop symptoms of infectious esophagitis.

Prevention

If you have a weak immune system, try to avoid contact with people who have an infection with any of the organisms mentioned above.

References

Graman PS. Esophagitis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 97.

Katzka DA. Esophageal disorders caused by medications, trauma, and infection. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 45.



Review Date: 8/26/2023
Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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