Can you identify these painful oral erosions?

Case 3:

Painful oral lesions have bothered a 14-year-old girl for the past week. She is otherwise healthy and takes no medications.

Do you recognize this condition?

A.  Behçet syndrome.
B.  Herpangina.
C.  Herpes simplex.
D.  Aphthous stomatitis.
E.  Candidiasis.

(Answer on next page.)

This patient had aphthous stomatitis, D, which was aggravated by the recent onset of menses that caused a mild iron deficiency. Hematinic deficiencies—including low levels of folic acid and vitamin B12—also have been reported as contributing factors.

Behçet syndrome is a vasculitic condition that typically features genital ulcers and other symptoms. Herpangina is a febrile disease with more extensive lesions that affect the mucous membranes and the throat. Herpes simplex usually does not present with oral erosions alone. Candidiasis features whitish plaques in the mouth, not painful erosions.