Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. Hello,
I wanted to know if it sounds like HIV/AIDS or syphilis could be behind these symptoms-- About a month and a half ago I began experiencing tongue pain, and it appeared that some of my taste buds were inflamed. In addition, there are larger red bumps on the back of my tongue, that seem to be somewhat in line and there was a white spot on one of my tonsils for a couple days. Besides this, I have sweat in my sleep a little bit . No other symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, loose stools, etc. As a side note-a day or two before the tongue problems began, I experienced mouth trauma by accidentally gouging my gum with my fingernail pretty badly. The wound was infected and turned into a canker sore. I feel fine,
other than my tongue, and I'm not in a high-risk group for the virus, but I'm still at a loss as to why my tongue hasn't seemed to return to normal.
Mark H. Katz, M.D.
Regional HIV/AIDS Physician Coordinator
Kaiser Permanente of Southern California
While the tongue can be affected/altered in the presence of HIV, the fact that you are in a low-risk group and are highly concerned about having the virus is perhaps what needs addressing. And the best, and only definitive, way of knowing is to test for the virus. Please consider doing this if you are unable to shake yourself of this high degree of concern. But, indeed, inflamed taste buds do not usually occur in the setting of HIV.
Good luck!
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