Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow HIV Mouth Sores LookOther ConditionsOther HIV Oral Symptoms
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How HIV Mouth Sores Look
Other Conditions
Other HIV Oral Symptoms
Mouth sores, or ulcers, are a common symptom ofhuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV).HIV mouth soresare present in up to 50% of people with HIV and up to 80% of people who haveAIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). AIDS is the most advanced stage of an HIV infection.
Mouth sores occur with HIV because HIV weakens theimmune system. This increases the risk of infections in your mouth and throughout your body.
This article contains images of the types of mouth sores that are common in all stages of HIV.
Characteristics of HIV mouth sores can vary based on the cause of the mouth sore.
Location
HIV mouth sores can appear virtually anywhere inside your mouth or on or near your lips, depending on the type of sore present.
Inside the mouth:
Oral candidiasis, also known asoral thrush, is the most common lesion affecting the mouths of people infected with HIV/AIDS. These lesions appear as white patches that develop anywhere along the mucous membranes, which include:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Dr Richard Ashtondermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Dr Richard Ashtondermnetnz.org2023.
At the corners of the mouth:
Angularcheilitiscan appear with or without oral candidiasis. It causes small white patches that appear as fissures, or linear ulcerations, at the corners of your mouth.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023.
Outside the mouth:
Herpes simplex, also known ascold soresor fever blisters, appear as one or more small blisters or ulcers on your lips, the roof of your mouth, or gums.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Onset of Symptoms
The lesions, and ulcers that occur as HIV mouth sores can present among the first signs of an HIV infection though they can happen at any stage of HIV. HIV mouth sores can also be an indication of disease progression to AIDS.
Early HIV infection:
Oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL)is an irritation that usually occurs as painless, fuzzy, white patches on the sides of your tongue. It can be an early sign of HIV infection.
Late HIV infection/AIDS:
Kaposi sarcomaappears as dark purple or red spots on your gums, the back of your tongue, or the roof of your mouth. It can occur in the late stages of HIV infection and may be used to define the progression to AIDS.
Appearance and Shape
The appearance and shape of HIV mouth sores can vary based on their underlying cause. Sores can be red, white, or yellowish. They can be round or irregular like oral hairy leukoplakia or creamy and bumpy candidiasis patches that look like cottage cheese.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoScience Picture Co/Getty Images
Sensations
Some HIV mouth sores and oral lesions are ulcerative and painful, which can cause a loss of taste and interfere with normal dental function. This can compromise the appearance of your mouth, alter your speech, and make chewing and swallowing difficult. The result can lead tomalnutrition, emaciation, and increased stress on a weakened immune system.
Canker sores (aphthousulcers): Canker sores are painful small, round sores. They typically have a gray center with a red edge on the hips or the roof of your mouth and/or gums.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPhoto Courtesy of CDC/Sol Silverman, Jr., DDS (1999)
HIV vs. AIDSHIV is a virus. It attacks your immune system. Without treatment, HIV can lead to AIDS. While there is no cure for HIV, it can be managed withantiretroviral therapy (ART)to prevent the progression to AIDS.
HIV vs. AIDS
HIV is a virus. It attacks your immune system. Without treatment, HIV can lead to AIDS. While there is no cure for HIV, it can be managed withantiretroviral therapy (ART)to prevent the progression to AIDS.
Is It Mouth Sores or Something Else?
While mouth sores are common in HIV, they can also occur as a result of other factors such as trauma, systemic diseases, and autoimmune disorders. The differential diagnosis for HIV mouth sores (conditions that have similar symptoms and must be ruled out to come to a diagnosis) include:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZdermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZdermnetnz.org2023.
HIV Microscopy in Pictures
Other Oral Symptoms of HIV
In addition to mouth sores, some of the most common oral symptoms of HIV include:
Biophoto Associates/Pri / Getty Images
How Common Is HIV?
Summary
In some cases, mouth sores appear as an early sign of HIV. Mouth sores can also occur when the disease worsens to AIDS. Getting a prompt diagnosis for any mouth sore is key to getting the right treatment early. This can help prevent the spread of an oral infection. It can also help you manage an HIV infection or other cause of a mouth sore.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lomelí-Martínez SM, González-Hernández LA, Ruiz-Anaya A de J, et al.Oral manifestations associated with HIV/AIDS patients.Medicina (Kaunas). 2022;58(9):1214. doi:10.3390/medicina58091214Mount Sinai.Mouth ulcers.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.HIV/AIDS and oral health.The Wellness Project.HIV and your mouth.International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC).HIV and the mouth.HIV.gov.What are HIV and AIDS?Kungoane Τ, Marnewick JC, van Heerden WFP.Oral medicine case book 73: HIV associated oral ulcerations differential diagnosis.South African Dental Journal. 2016;71(3):128-130.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lomelí-Martínez SM, González-Hernández LA, Ruiz-Anaya A de J, et al.Oral manifestations associated with HIV/AIDS patients.Medicina (Kaunas). 2022;58(9):1214. doi:10.3390/medicina58091214Mount Sinai.Mouth ulcers.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.HIV/AIDS and oral health.The Wellness Project.HIV and your mouth.International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC).HIV and the mouth.HIV.gov.What are HIV and AIDS?Kungoane Τ, Marnewick JC, van Heerden WFP.Oral medicine case book 73: HIV associated oral ulcerations differential diagnosis.South African Dental Journal. 2016;71(3):128-130.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lomelí-Martínez SM, González-Hernández LA, Ruiz-Anaya A de J, et al.Oral manifestations associated with HIV/AIDS patients.Medicina (Kaunas). 2022;58(9):1214. doi:10.3390/medicina58091214Mount Sinai.Mouth ulcers.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.HIV/AIDS and oral health.The Wellness Project.HIV and your mouth.International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC).HIV and the mouth.HIV.gov.What are HIV and AIDS?Kungoane Τ, Marnewick JC, van Heerden WFP.Oral medicine case book 73: HIV associated oral ulcerations differential diagnosis.South African Dental Journal. 2016;71(3):128-130.
Lomelí-Martínez SM, González-Hernández LA, Ruiz-Anaya A de J, et al.Oral manifestations associated with HIV/AIDS patients.Medicina (Kaunas). 2022;58(9):1214. doi:10.3390/medicina58091214
Mount Sinai.Mouth ulcers.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.HIV/AIDS and oral health.
The Wellness Project.HIV and your mouth.
International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC).HIV and the mouth.
HIV.gov.What are HIV and AIDS?
Kungoane Τ, Marnewick JC, van Heerden WFP.Oral medicine case book 73: HIV associated oral ulcerations differential diagnosis.South African Dental Journal. 2016;71(3):128-130.
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