BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuInfectious esophagitisInfection - esophagus; Esophageal infectionEsophagitis 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. 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:HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDSHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chemotherapy ChemotherapyThe term chemotherapy is used to describe cancer-killing drugs. Chemotherapy may be used to:Cure the cancerShrink the cancerPrevent the cancer from ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diabetes DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Leukemia or lymphoma LeukemiaLeukemia is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of the bones, where blood cells are ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Medicines that suppress the immune system, such as ones given after organ or bone marrow transplant Other conditions that suppress or weaken your immune system Organisms (germs) that cause esophagitis include fungi, yeast, and viruses. Common organisms include:Candida albicans and other Candida species Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Herpes simplex virus (HSV) Human papillomavirus (HPV) Tuberculosis bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) -- not common Symptoms Symptoms of infectious esophagitis include:Difficulty swallowing Painful swallowing Fever and chills Yeast infection of the tongue and lining of the mouth (oral thrush) Oral thrushThrush is a yeast infection of the tongue and lining of the mouth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sores in the mouth or back of the throat (with herpes or CMV) Exams and Tests Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and examine your mouth and throat. Tests may include:Blood and urine tests for CMV Culture of cells from the esophagus for herpes or CMV Mouth or throat swab culture for candidaYou may need to have an upper endoscopy exam. This is a test to examine the lining of the esophagus.Upper endoscopy examEsophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a test to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine (the duodenum)....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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:Acyclovir Famciclovir ValacyclovirAntifungal medicines can treat candida infection. Common antifungal medicines are:Fluconazole (taken by mouth) Caspofungin (given by injection) Amphotericin (given by injection)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:Holes in your esophagus (perforations) Infection at other sites Recurrent infection 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.Immune responseThe immune response is how your body recognizes and defends itself against bacteria, viruses, and substances that appear foreign and harmful....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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.Open ReferencesReferencesGraman 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.AllVideoImagesTogHerpetic esophagitis - illustration Herpetic esophagitis is a herpes simplex infection causing inflammation and ulcers of the esophagus. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing and pain (dysphagia). Herpetic esophagitis can be effectively treated with antiviral medication if the person is not significantly immunodeficient.Herpetic esophagitisillustrationUpper gastrointestinal system - illustration The upper gastrointestinal organs include the mouth, esophagus and stomach.Upper gastrointestinal systemillustrationCMV esophagitis - illustration Cytomegalovirus is a large herpes-type virus commonly found in humans that can cause serious infections in people with impaired immunity. CMV esophagitis, which may lead to ulcers, is treated with antiviral medications, which may stop the replication of the virus but will not destroy it.CMV esophagitisillustrationCandidal esophagitis - illustration Painful swallowing and oral lesions are symptoms of Candidal esophagitis, a fungal infection of the esophagus. Candidal esophagitis is treated with antifungal medications. Recovery is dependent on extent of immunosuppression.Candidal esophagitisillustrationHerpetic esophagitis - illustration Herpetic esophagitis is a herpes simplex infection causing inflammation and ulcers of the esophagus. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing and pain (dysphagia). Herpetic esophagitis can be effectively treated with antiviral medication if the person is not significantly immunodeficient.Herpetic esophagitisillustrationUpper gastrointestinal system - illustration The upper gastrointestinal organs include the mouth, esophagus and stomach.Upper gastrointestinal systemillustrationCMV esophagitis - illustration Cytomegalovirus is a large herpes-type virus commonly found in humans that can cause serious infections in people with impaired immunity. CMV esophagitis, which may lead to ulcers, is treated with antiviral medications, which may stop the replication of the virus but will not destroy it.CMV esophagitisillustrationCandidal esophagitis - illustration Painful swallowing and oral lesions are symptoms of Candidal esophagitis, a fungal infection of the esophagus. Candidal esophagitis is treated with antifungal medications. Recovery is dependent on extent of immunosuppression.Candidal esophagitisillustrationA Closer Look Gastroesophageal reflux disease and heartburn - InDepth(In-Depth)Alcohol use disorders - InDepth(In-Depth)Related Information Ulcers(Symptoms)Esophagitis(Condition)Immunodeficiency disorders(Condition)Herpes simplex - InDepth(In-Depth) 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. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. 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Infectious esophagitisInfection - esophagus; Esophageal infectionEsophagitis 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. 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:HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDSHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chemotherapy ChemotherapyThe term chemotherapy is used to describe cancer-killing drugs. Chemotherapy may be used to:Cure the cancerShrink the cancerPrevent the cancer from ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diabetes DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Leukemia or lymphoma LeukemiaLeukemia is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of the bones, where blood cells are ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Medicines that suppress the immune system, such as ones given after organ or bone marrow transplant Other conditions that suppress or weaken your immune system Organisms (germs) that cause esophagitis include fungi, yeast, and viruses. Common organisms include:Candida albicans and other Candida species Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Herpes simplex virus (HSV) Human papillomavirus (HPV) Tuberculosis bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) -- not common Symptoms Symptoms of infectious esophagitis include:Difficulty swallowing Painful swallowing Fever and chills Yeast infection of the tongue and lining of the mouth (oral thrush) Oral thrushThrush is a yeast infection of the tongue and lining of the mouth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sores in the mouth or back of the throat (with herpes or CMV) Exams and Tests Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and examine your mouth and throat. Tests may include:Blood and urine tests for CMV Culture of cells from the esophagus for herpes or CMV Mouth or throat swab culture for candidaYou may need to have an upper endoscopy exam. This is a test to examine the lining of the esophagus.Upper endoscopy examEsophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a test to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine (the duodenum)....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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:Acyclovir Famciclovir ValacyclovirAntifungal medicines can treat candida infection. Common antifungal medicines are:Fluconazole (taken by mouth) Caspofungin (given by injection) Amphotericin (given by injection)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:Holes in your esophagus (perforations) Infection at other sites Recurrent infection 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.Immune responseThe immune response is how your body recognizes and defends itself against bacteria, viruses, and substances that appear foreign and harmful....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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.Open ReferencesReferencesGraman 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.