What can I do about the sores in my mouth?
Aug 19, 2007
MANIFESTATIONS of HIV in the mouth causes sores due to HIV-related stress. They are known as stress ulcers and can be very painful and even make one fail to eat normally.
Dear doctor,
I am HIV-positive and have been on ARVs for about three months. For about three days now, I have been unable to eat because of very painful sores in my mouth and on my tongue. It is even a problem for me to speak or take fluids. What could be the problem and what should I do?
Esther
Dear Esther,
MANIFESTATIONS of HIV in the mouth causes sores due to HIV-related stress. They are known as stress ulcers and can be very painful and even make one fail to eat normally.
Another common manifestation of HIV/AIDS in the mouth are sores caused by a virus knows as Herpes Zoster, causing the so-called herpetic ulcers which cause the mucous membrane in the mouth to break, leaving a raw area which hurts.
Another common manifestation is a cancer known as Kaposi’s sarcoma. These usually tend to appear as dark-purplish swellings on the tongue and the roof of the mouth known as the palate.
The treatment depends on the cause of the ulcers. However, since in all cases pain is involved, starting by taking the common painkillers like Panadol, Aspirin or Brufen should be of help. If the pain persists, then stronger ones like Codeine should be added until the pain is subdued. Oral hygiene should be observed.
Drink water mixed with salt or use local antiseptics to stop the wound from getting worse or spreading.
It may be difficult to eat solid food for the time being, but you should make sure that you take a lot of fluids or mashed food, which does not require a lot of chewing.
In case of Herpes Zoster, tablets of Acyclovir or Zovirax should be used but only as prescribed by your doctor, who should also be the one to make the definitive diagnosis and advise you what medicine to use.
Send your question on HIV to Health Editor,
The New Vision. P. O. Box 9815, Kampala
OR health&beauty@newvision.co.ug
I am HIV-positive and have been on ARVs for about three months. For about three days now, I have been unable to eat because of very painful sores in my mouth and on my tongue. It is even a problem for me to speak or take fluids. What could be the problem and what should I do?
Esther
Dear Esther,
MANIFESTATIONS of HIV in the mouth causes sores due to HIV-related stress. They are known as stress ulcers and can be very painful and even make one fail to eat normally.
Another common manifestation of HIV/AIDS in the mouth are sores caused by a virus knows as Herpes Zoster, causing the so-called herpetic ulcers which cause the mucous membrane in the mouth to break, leaving a raw area which hurts.
Another common manifestation is a cancer known as Kaposi’s sarcoma. These usually tend to appear as dark-purplish swellings on the tongue and the roof of the mouth known as the palate.
The treatment depends on the cause of the ulcers. However, since in all cases pain is involved, starting by taking the common painkillers like Panadol, Aspirin or Brufen should be of help. If the pain persists, then stronger ones like Codeine should be added until the pain is subdued. Oral hygiene should be observed.
Drink water mixed with salt or use local antiseptics to stop the wound from getting worse or spreading.
It may be difficult to eat solid food for the time being, but you should make sure that you take a lot of fluids or mashed food, which does not require a lot of chewing.
In case of Herpes Zoster, tablets of Acyclovir or Zovirax should be used but only as prescribed by your doctor, who should also be the one to make the definitive diagnosis and advise you what medicine to use.
Send your question on HIV to Health Editor,
The New Vision. P. O. Box 9815, Kampala
OR health&beauty@newvision.co.ug