Dr. Feinberg,

I came across the dry eyes/dry mouth post which peaked my interest. I have read there is a condition in HIV infected individuals which resembles Sjogren's Syndrome entitled DIFFUSE INFILTRATIVE LYMPHOCYTOSIS. It can occur at any CD4 count and it mirrors the symptoms of Sjogren's: dry eyes and dry mouth. (Here is a link to more information: http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/InSite.jsp?page=kb-04-01-15#S6X) After reading this I am very concerned since I am a male and it seems as if Sjogrens is a syndrome which mainly affects middle-aged women. However I suffer from severe dry eyes and dry mouth with no arthritis present. It seems as if this description fits me to a tee! I have tested negative at 5 months, yet after reading this information am not sure what to believe. It seems as if dry eyes and dry mouth are very common in HIV infection and can present themselves at any time...please put my mind at ease!

Thank you for the link to this specific problem-- I am aware of this site. All I can say to you is what's been said many times before-- If you're HIV negative, you're HIV negative. Not everything in medicine fits into a neat place like a peg into a hole, so having dry mouth & eyes does not mean you have HIV.

I hope this helps. meanwhile, suck on sugarless hard candies to keep your mouth wet, see your dentiat at least twice a year, and use lubricating eyedrops during the day and lubricating eye ointment at bedtime. These things should help with your symptoms.