Infectious Esophagitis

Esophagitis is the inflammation of the lining of the esophagus, which is characterized by its swelling and irritation. The esophagus is tubular structure which helps in the swallowing, and it links the back of the throat to the stomach. The swelling is commonly caused by acid reflux. Sometimes, this swelling can also be caused by infections. Infectious esophagitis can be set off by fungi, yeast, viruses, bacteria and other types of organisms. Anyone can get infectious esophagitis, but people with weakened or comprised immune system are more likely to develop the disease. Anyone can get it, but people are more likely to develop it if their immune system is weakened or compromised. The purpose of this chapter is to review the clinical manifestations, etiology, pathophysiology, histopathology, diagnosis, treatment/management, prevention, prognosis and other healthcare issues of infectious esophagitis.