The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can affect areas of the mouth, including the tongue.
In some cases, these can be thefirst signs of an HIV infection.
This article discusses the different conditions common to HIV that can affect the tongue.
Laura Porter / Verywell
It covers symptoms for each condition as well as treatment.
Additionally, they can treat thrush all over the body (for instance, in the esophagus).
They can also have an unpleasant taste.
Benefits of Topical Agents vs.
Oral Meds
Topical agents limit your exposure to harsh treatments because they don’t affect your whole body.
Localized treatment lowers the risk of side effects and drug interactions.
EBV infection in childhood is usually mild or asymptomatic.
Mononucleosis (mono) is how EBV typically shows up in adolescents and adults.
After these early infections, the virus stays quiet in certain cells of the body.
Characteristics of OHL include:
OHL lesions are generally asymptomatic and benign.
Most people don’t require specific treatment for OHL.
Oral Herpes
Cold sores around the outside of the mouth are caused byoral herpes.
Theherpes simplex virus throw in 1 (HSV-1)is responsible for oral herpes.
It’s easily spread from one person to another.
In the United States, about 50% of people ages 14 to 49 are positive for HSV-1.
Chronic suppressive therapy is helpful for people with frequent infections that keep coming back after treatment.
It’s paired with the same antiviral oral medicines.
Hyperpigmentation
Oral melanin hyperpigmentation describes when mouth tissues look darker.
It’s more common in individuals with darker skin tones.
Hyperpigmentation develops either within two years of contracting HIV or within a couple of months after starting zidovudine.
Your healthcare provider can help you determine if these symptoms represent a different condition that can be treated separately.
Oral Warts
Thehuman papillomavirus (HPV)is responsible for oral warts.
HIV-positive individuals are at a higher risk of HPV infection.
Treament
Oral warts are benign.
Treating HIV with ART and restoring immune function is essential to your overall health.
Sipping on water or sugarless drinks, sucking on sugarless hard candy, or chewing sugarless gum may help.
An artificial saliva product can also helpkeep the mouth wet.
Speak with your healthcare provider if you have a dry mouth due to medication changes.
Some conditions are asymptomatic and don’t require treatment while others will require medications or procedures to resolve.
Be sure to monitor your tongue and mouth for changes regularly and report any issues to your healthcare provider.
Keeping your provider informed and practicing good oral hygiene will help you maintain good health.
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Brasileiro CB, Abreu MH, Mesquita RA.Critical review of topical management of oral hairy leukoplakia.World J Clin Cases.
John Hopkins Medicine.Oral herpes.
Feller L, Khammissa RAG, Lemmer J.Oral mucosal melanosis.
In: Blumenberg M, ed.Melanin.
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2018;126 Suppl 1(Suppl Suppl 1):49-66. doi:10.1111/eos.12538
