An 18-Year-Old Woman With Herpes Simplex Esophagitis

Herpes simplex esophagitis is a well-documented entity in immunocompromised patients. However, it is rare in immunocompetent hosts. We are reporting a case of an 18-year-old healthy woman who was admitted to our hospital with dysphagia, odynophagia, and chest pain. Clinical examination was unremarkable, and no abnormalities were observed in her admission laboratory studies. She underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, which revealed white areas of superficial erosions beginning in the middle esophagus and becoming more confluent over the distal 5 cm of the esophagus. Biopsies confirmed inflammation and active ulceration of the squamous epithelium. Microscopic examination, cultures, and serology confirmed herpes simplex virus.