Hi Reznik Pls answer my questions, You have been a great help to alot of people.

First how does thrush and coated tongue differs? Which one is related to HIV? At which stage does the one related occurs? What about sore throat? Is it related to HIV too?

Thanks for your time in answering Dr Reznik

Thrush or pseudomembranous candidiasis is a fungal infection that presents as white or creamy plaques that can occur anywhere within the oral cavity that will wipe away, sometimes leaving a red or a bleeding surface. As mentioned in an earlier response, there are not any oral manifestations of HIV infection that are solely seen in HIV+ individuals. In the case of thrush, there can be several causes or underlying conditions such as the use of broad spectrum antibiotics, asthma inhalers, systemic corticosteroids, uncontrolled diabetics, etc. Thrush may be indicative of HIV infection, but is by no means diagnostic. With this said, pseudomembranous candidiasis or thrush as it is commonly referred to, is the most frequently seen oral manifestation of HIV disease.

Coated tongue is not related to HIV infection. It is a common condition that is seen in association with smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, dry mouth, and in people who do not brush the dorsal surface of the tongue.

Sore throat is a common condition in the general population and by no means is indicative of HIV infection.

A colleague of mine, Michael Glick, performed a retrospective study prior to the advent of HAART which noted that candidiasis was seen approximately 70% of the time in people with T-cell counts less than 200. We have seen candidiasis in people with T-cell counts as high as in the 400s.

Take care,

DR