Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. I was diagnosed HIV-positive 9 years ago. The corners of my lips sometimes crack. Can being Hiv-positive cause this condition? My CD4 count is 280. My viral load is 58,000. I have refused to take any anti-virus medication, up till now.
This condition is called angular chelitis. It is caused by the same fungus that causes thrush and should respond to topical antifungal creams. Sometimes some bacteria also sneak in there, so a second antibiotic cream may be needed.
Like thrush it may come and go, but by itself is not an AIDS-defining infection that would indicate an absolute need to start antivirals.
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