I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT MOUTH ULCERS. Ever since I can remember I have always had one mouth ulcer once a year, that would appear on my inside cheek. It would last a few days and go away leaving no scar. On June 04, 2001, for the first time I developed an outbreak of mouth ulcers on my inside lower lip, plus a small red pimple on the outside of my mouth. I believed it to be herpes so I saw my doctor; who ruled out herpes with a swab cotton test; that came back negative;(he ran the test for my piece of mind).; The doctor gave me triamcinolone dental paste 5gm.; Since then I have had no break in dealing with mouth ulcers.Its no longer 3 or 4 outbreaks at once; Its down to one. However as soon as that one heals a new one appears. Plus these ulcers are leaving me with red scars that just will not completely heal. It also appears to me that some of the new outbreaks are taking place on the same spots. On a web sight I learned that mouth ulcers can be manifestations of systemic diseases;; My concern and question is can mouth ulcers be the first clue that someone is HIV positive. I just been tested for HIV for piece of mind.; If I test negative for HIV or positive for HIV; Will there ever be a break in my mouth ulcer problem. Thank you

There can be many different reasons for having ulcers in your mouth. They can be secondary to infections, side effects to medications including over the counter products, allergic reactions, connective tissue disorders and even malignancies. So without seeing your ulcers, it is impossible for me to say what you have. Many people have aphthous ulcers in which we do not know what causes them but we belive it is probably caused by a virus. I recommend that you go back to your doctor or have a dentist examine them. HIV is associated with some infections that cause mouth ulcers but first things first. You got your HIV test which is very important. Go back and get your results. I cannot comment on the recurrence of your ulcers until we know what you have.