Mouth sores

Question:

can mouth sores (re-occurent) be symptoms of anything else?

Dr. Pavia's Response:

The most common type of mouth sore among people with HIV is aphthous ulcers, which are also known as canker sores. These appear to be the same as the ones which affect people without HIV but seem to more common, more severe, and may involve the esophagus, stomach or intestine. No one really knows what causes them. The usually have a white base to the sore with a red area in the surrounding tissue, and are most common on the loose tissue of the mouth - inside of cheeks, under tongue, inside of lips etc. Steroids in various forms and thalidomide have helped many people. Some nutritional approaches have been recommended as well.

Other types of illnesses can cause mouth sores. Histoplasmosis and lymphoma usually cause one, non healing sore. CMV occasionally causes mouth ulcers. Herpes usually involves the lips or face, but in HIV it doesn't always obey the "rules." If you have a single large sore that doesn't go away, it usually needs to be investigated so see your health care provider. Good luck.