HIV and Oral Hairy Leukoplakia

[InTheHouse317]

Docs,

I had a possible exposer to HIV on July28, 2008....

On October 24 I noticed 2 continuous white raised ridges running down both sides of my tongue...

I looked online and felt that it looks very similar to mild OHL...

I went and got tested on Oct. 25.... The results came back negative for HIV and all other STDs...

My question is:

How long does it usually take for OHL symptoms to arise after being infected with HIV? Is it at all possible to exhibit signs of OHL only 3 months or less after infection with HIV? If yes, then is it possible to exhibit signs of OHL and test negative for HIV and the same time, but still be HIV+?

My negative results give me confidence I am ok, but the fact that the ridges haven't went away leave me thinking I may still have HIV.

[Teak]

OHL has nothing to do with HIV and you have a conclusive negative test. You don't have HIV.

[InTheHouse317]

I know OHL can be seen in anyone immune suppressed which can be for a variety of reasons.... but it is strongly associated with HIV... just  for my own peace of mind though  I am wondering the answers to these questions:

How long does it usually take for OHL symptoms to arise after being infected with HIV? Is it at all possible to exhibit signs of OHL only 3 months or less after infection with HIV? If yes, then is it possible to exhibit signs of OHL and test negative for HIV and the same time, but still be HIV+?

Thanks

[Teak]

As you were told OHL has nothing to do with HIV. If you had a risk of contracting HIV then you test to find out your status you don't go by symptoms.

[InTheHouse317]

Thank You for your quick response....

From what you have told me.. since I have tested negative for HIV after about 3 months I will trust those results then...

From what I can gather when OHL does occur in people who are HIV+, it typically only occurs in advanced HIV or AIDS patients which can take anywhere from 10-20 years...

Since its only been 4 months post possible infection it is impossible for me to be in any advanced stages...

I have not had any organ transplant surgery, been diagnosed with any type of immune suppressant cancers, or doing chemotherapy... So this I guess rules out OHL as the cause of the ridges in my mouth...

The most other likely cause from what I have researched then would be frictional keratosis of the lateral boarders of my tongue... which would make since since these ridges (raised lines) travel the entire sides of my tongue, but stop at the tip... and this would also explain the same similar lines running down the boarders of my cheeks... From what I have read these symptoms can result from tongue thrusting and sucking my tongue sides and cheeks... since these ridges are always at their worst when i wake up and seem to get better throughout the day I may be doing this while I sleep or am not thinking about it...I have an appointment w/ my dentist on January 20... Hopefully he can resolve these issues then...

Honestly,though I am still wondering about my questions as I have not been able to find any answers on the Internet...

I know OHL has nothing to do with HIV... It is related to epson barr virus... which causes OHL... most commonly in people who are HIV+...

Wondering if any other doctors or people have answers to my questions:

1. When OHL is caused by HIV... How long does it usually take for OHL symptoms to arise after being infected?

2. Is it at all possible to exhibit signs of OHL only 3 months or less after infection with HIV?

3.If yes to 2, then is it possible to have OHL and test negative for HIV and the same time still be HIV+, but the ELISA test couldn't your antibodies yet?

4. Or basically when OHL does appear in HIV patients is it always way after the window period, so any person who is HIV+ and has been diagnosed OHL through a skin biopsy confirming the presence of the EBV on the lesions, would defientally test positive on a ELISA test?

Thanks Again Teak!

[Teak]

Don't confuse OHL with Thrush. As one living with HIV/ AIDS for 24 years I can tell OHL has nothing to do with HIV. You are way off, EBV has nothing to do with HIV or AIDS. EBV is related to  mononucleosis not HIV.

[InTheHouse317]

I am a little confused.. and I am not trying to question your expertise on the issue... but I have found this on eMedcine.com and many other medical websites say similar things...

Background

Oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL) is a disease of the mucosa first described in 1984. This pathology is associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and occurs mostly in people with HIV, both immunocompromised and immunocompetent, albeit it can affect patients who are HIV negative. The first case in an HIV-negative patient was reported in 1999 in a 56-year-old patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Later, many cases have been reported in heart, kidney, and bone marrow transplant recipients and patients with hematological malignancies.

The rest after the link:

http://www.emedicine.com/MED/topic938.htm

Thanks Again!

[Teak]

EBV is the risk factor and condition for OHL. Any suppressive immuno disease has a risk of OHL but it is not limited to people with HIV and or AIDS and not specific to HIV and/or AIDS.