Infectious esophagitis

Infectious esophagitis develops when viruses (such as herpes or CMV), fungi (Candida), or bacteria infect the esophagus, most often in the context of immunosuppression. Symptoms include pain when swallowing, fever, difficulty swallowing solids and liquids, and sometimes heartburn. Diagnosis is performed by endoscopy and culture sampling, and treatment is tailored to the underlying cause: antiviral drugs, antifungal agents, or antibiotics.

This is a relatively rare type of inflammation that occurs in individuals with a weakened immune system, such as people with AIDS or cancer.