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Ask the Experts about Choosing Your Meds
Mouth Ulcers
Oct 9, 2008
CD4 27 with VL 160k. Totally healthy other than mouth ulcers occurring regularly. Is there anything I can do to prevent or get rid of them?
Is there a danger from having these ulcers?
Thank you. Your time and knowledge is greatly appreciated by all of us infected.
Response from Dr. Young
Thank you for your post.
Whoa, CD4 24 and "totally healthy"? If your CD4 is really 24, your totally not healthy, but have a extremely poor immune health. You need to be talking to your doctor about HIV medications and other preventive medications now.
That said, mouth ulcers are usually herpes (HSV) or apthous (canker sores). Antibody testing or culture of the ulcer can distinguish between the two, if needed. Alternatively, medications to treat (and prevent) herpes can be useful here- acyclovir, famciclovir or valacyclovir. The real issue is that persons with low immune function often have greater number and severity of these lesions; hence improving immune function can decrease their significance.
Usually, there's no great medical harm (other than pain) from having the oral ulcers- but you do need to talk to you doctor. Sooner, rather than later.
BY
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