Recognizing the oral manifestations of AIDS

The first sign of HIV infection may be an unusual or rapidly progressive condition of the oral cavity, including malignancies such as Kaposi's sarcoma. Early diagnosis of these oral conditions can lead to early diagnosis of HIV infection and subsequent treatment with antiretroviral agents that may improve the prognosis. This illustrated review outlines the presenting signs and symptoms of the most common oral manifestations of the AIDS virus, including hairy leukoplakia, candidiasis, Kaposi's sarcoma, periodontal disease, salivary gland disease, necrotizing stomatitis, and infection with herpes and human papillomavirus.