I'm confused. Can you have thrush before you show positive HIV?

Part I seroconversion illness:

Whereas it is possible to present with thrush during seroconversion illness, research has not shown this to be an indicative condition of seroconversion. In other words, published studies to date looked at oral conditions such as thrush and ulcers in people who were diagnosed with seroconversion illness. Several of these studies did note oral conditions such as thrush or oral ulcers in some of the people enrolled in these studies, but there were not enough people with oral thrush to make a statement that this is a sign or symptom of HIV infection.

Part II: other conditions:

As I often mention, there are numerous conditions or factors which can lead to a person develop thrush that have nothing to do with HIV-infection such as: use of broad spectrum antibiotics, use of systemic corticosteroids, use of steroid containing asthma inhalers, uncontrolled diabetes, etc.

There are many oral conditions we see in association with HIV/AIDS, but none are diagnostic of HIV infection. If you are concerned about your status, please take the time to get tested!

I hope this helps!

DR