Wrestling and herpetic esophagitis.

Herpes simplex virus esophagitis has rarely been reported in immunocompetent children. We describe 2 immunocompetent wrestlers on the same team who presented with fever, odynophagia, and dysphagia. Histologic examination of the esophagus showed ulceration and exudate, herpes simplex virus was detected by polymerase chain reaction. We propose that wrestling may be a mode of transmission for this disease.