Oral Thrush

[Stinkpot]

I've had oral thrush for 2 years now. My tongue is always lightly white in the middle. I took a treatment 2 years ago and it didn't work. I would imagine that it would of gone away when I've been on antibiotics for other problems - but nothing.

What I'm worried about is AIDS.

I've never took an AIDS test before or whatever, or any type of exam to see if I had AIDS. My parents never take me seriously when it comes to this problem. They just tell me to eat a red popsicle - a red popsicle doesn't cure AIDS. God my parents are such morons.

I've had many blood test done on me for other issues like kidney stones, vertigo, and to make sure my epilepsy medication is not overdose.

Wouldn't drawing blood for those above issues or just a blood draw in general be able to tell if I had AIDS or not? I would imagine if they could tell if I was anemic when giving me a blood test to see if I had a medication overdose cause I was having a reaction to them, wouldn't they be able to see if I had AIDS? Or do I have to take some other type test?

Another question, if a blood draw was able to tell if I already had AIDS, do you think my doctors and parents would keep it a secret from me(so I don't get upset)? Believe it or not, I've actually have wondered this. That would be nasty if they did. I'd be more upset at my parents than anything else. I would take their stupid little dogs(their most beloved things in the world) to a shelter in a heart beat.
I'm 24 years old and should be treated like an adult. Just because I'm forced to live with my parents doesn't mean they have to treat me like a child.

[epileric]

No, checking for anemia will not tell you if you're HIV positive.

You need to go to your doctor or a clinic and have a test specifically for HIV where they measure the T blood cells.

Many years ago I wondered the same thing. The only way to alleviate that fear is to go for a test. When I asked the nurse about thrush and showed her my tongue she sort of rolled her eyes & told me that what I had was quite normal and not to worry about it.

I would highly recommend you go for a blood test though. That way if you're not HIV positive then your stresses are alleviated or
if you are HIV positive then you can live a lot longer and happier if it's diagnosed sooner.

Also, as far as the law permits it is illegal for doctors to share info of adult clients with anyone else unless the person is a registered guardian. Not sure how that works in the US though.

[huskymom]

I agree with Eric. If you are that concerned about being HIV positive, then definitely get tested. If you are short of money, there may be some free clinics around that will test you. We have those here, but sure about your area. Also, if you say you have thrush, does it bleed if you try to scrap it off your tongue? It may just be a white coating on your tongue and that would be normal, just as the nurse mentioned. For your sake of mind, go get tested. Do you live the type of lifestyle where that may be a possibility? I was tested years ago because I had a blood transfusion. Please go!

[Frink]

I am not a Dr.

Most of the time Thrush appears as white patches or spots (almost like cheese curds) that are easily removed with a tissue or by scraping your tongue on your teeth and underneath the white patches your tongue should appear red, inflamed and may even bleed.

If the entire center of your tongue is whitish and the "white" stuff does not come off your tongue when gently scraped against your teeth, the whitish discoloration is probably related to a post nasal drip.

My tongue (center/rear) appears whitish (and has for 30 + years) from a chronic sinus condition from a broken nose.

[Nakamova]

I agree with the others. The AIDS test is often free, you should get the results within a day or two, and then you'll know how to proceed one way or another.

BTW, oral thrush can be caused by diseases or disorders other than AIDS. It can be linked to diabetes or blood sugar issues. Mention it to your GP to get recommendations on how to treat it.

[JacobsMom]

The laws in the US are the same as far as giving out your medical information. There are AIDS Coalitions all over the country that will give you the test free of charge, just look it up online.

[RobinN]

It can also be a symptom of fungal and yeast overgrowth.
I have a terrible white tongue, and at times it has crevices. I am working on my intestinal system. As a teen I was put on antibiotics for a year (for teenage acne) and I know know that it killed all of the good bacteria in my system. One needs to replenish it when they have been on antibiotics for even the short term. My body learned to cope slowly, but now I see how even the slightest refined carb will bloat my system.

Try making nutritional changes that eliminate refined grain products and increase your veggie carbs. No sugar, and reduced fruits. Add probiotics and see if you don't feel better and the tongue begins to return to it's pink coloration.

Just a trial... and you have nothing to lose by trying it.

[drarvindr]

The blood draws you mention are unable to detect AIDS. oral thrush per se is not an AIDS defining illness - esophageal thrush is ( thrush in your food pipe). The ideal test to start you off is an ELISA and even if positive you need to confirm in 2-4 weeks with a western blot / HIV PCR test.Should that test be positive too , you should get a CD4 and viral load done. if your CD4 is 300 or more , you may choose to delay treatment based on consultation with your doctor and based on your clinical condition at the time. As regards the thrush , You should talk to your doctor regarding appropriate antifungals ( usually fluconazole should work well enough and if not you'll probably have to take a longer course or switch to voriconazole based on the type of candid they isolate from your thrush). They cannot withhold results from you as you are legally an adult and given the sensitive nature of the test they usually have to take your consent prior to an HIV test.Antiretroviral therapy has come a long way in the last 20 years and im no expert but i have seen patients surviving well with their medications for 10 - 15 years ( HIV positive not full blown AIDS). It may not have a cure but it is manageable.
let's not jump to AIDS as a diagnosis just from oral thrush ( which has a gazillion causes). Ask yourself these questions :
1) Have you lost weight
2) have you experienced unexplained bouts of fever on and off
3) Have you had a blood transfusion/ unprotected sex/ shared needles with anyone over the last 6-8 months ( iv drug usage can lower you immunity and can cause the thrush)

If not ,
1) are you diabetic / have a family history of diabetes?
2) Any untreated dental trouble?
3) Any autoimmune disease in the family ( Lupus/ RA/Sjogren's etc)
4) have you taken steroid therapy for any reason ( a common cause of thrush is not gargling after using steroid inhalers in asthmatics)

Anyway , I realise that some of what ive asked you here may be uncomfortable for you to discuss on a public forum and that much of it may seem intrusive but these are things that have to be asked. please feel free to PM me and i'll get back to you ASAP.
Hope i've been of help- here's wishing you a speedy recovery
sincerely
Arvind

P.S. in the meantime i'd avoid crowded places as far as possible. people who are HIV positive/ have AIDS are at a huge risk of getting chest infections ( especially tuberculosis / atypical pneumonias). Do not disregard any symptoms until you are sure that the tests are negative.

[RobinN]

I thought this page of pictures of tongues was interesting:

http://stankurtz.com/biomedical/tong...cally-ill.html

[Endless]

It's always a good idea to get tested for HIV. Are you in the United States? If so, your nearest public health office will do an aids test for free, or very very cheap. Planned parenthood it's the same. They'll lead you through the correct process.

I wouldn't worry about oral thrush. I had it a few years ago, and I'm not HIV positive. I think my body was just very run down. The doc gave me this stuff to gargle with for a couple of weeks, plus 3 little pills to take, one a day, and then it was gone.

[RobinN]

I do believe that the tongue is a good indicator of the overall health of the body