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Dental Problems Associated with HIV/AIDs
Provided by Colgate
What Is HIV/AIDS?
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus
is passed from one person to another through blood-to-blood contact (blood
transfusions, HIV-infected needles) and sexual contact. In addition, an infected
pregnant woman can pass HIV to her baby during pregnancy or delivery, as well
as through breast-feeding.
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) occurs when the HIV infection has
weakened one's immune system to the point that it has difficulty fighting off
certain illnesses and infections. "Opportunistic" infections also
occur, taking the opportunity a weakened immune system gives to cause illness.
How Do I Know if I Have HIV/AIDS?
Dental problems such as sore bleeding gums, herpes sores in the mouth, and
fungal and candida (yeast) infections may be among the first signs of AIDS.
However, you should not assume you are infected if you have any of these
symptoms as these occur in the general population as well. The only way
to determine whether you are infected is to be tested for HIV infection. Consult
with your physician or other healthcare professional.
A positive HIV test result does not mean that you have AIDS. AIDS is a
medical diagnosis made by a doctor based on specific criteria. You also
cannot rely on symptoms to know whether or not you are infected with HIV.
Many people who are infected with HIV do not have any symptoms at all for
many years.
The following may be warning signs of infection with HIV:
- Rapid weight loss
- Dry cough
- Recurring fever or profuse night sweats
- Profound and unexplained fatigue
- Swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin or neck
- Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
- White spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth or in the
throat
- Pneumonia
- Red, brown, pink or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the
mouth, nose or eyelids
- Memory loss, depression and other neurological disorders
How Do I Prevent HIV/AIDS?
HIV transmission can occur when blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk
from an infected person enters your body. The best way to prevent HIV is
to avoid activities that allow the virus to enter your body. For more information
on HIV/AIDS prevention, consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.
Many people worry about the risk of infection through a blood transfusion.
Since 1985, all donated blood in the United States has been tested for HIV.
The U.S. blood supply is considered to be among the safest in the world.
Can I Get HIV at the Dentist's Office?
Due to the nature of dental treatment, many people fear that HIV may be transmitted
during treatment. Universal precautions are used between each and every
patient to prevent the transmission of HIV and other infectious diseases.
These precautions require dentists, hygienists and dental assistants to
wear gloves, facemasks and eye protection, and to sterilize all handpieces
(drills) and other dental instruments for every patient, using specific
sterilization procedures outlined by the Centers for Disease Control. Items
that cannot be sterilized are discarded in special containers. After each
patient visit, gloves are discarded, hands are washed and a new pair of
gloves is used for the next patient.
If you are anxious, spending a few minutes asking your dentist any questions
you may have about health and safety precautions can put your mind at ease.
How Is HIV/AIDS Treated?
Today there are medical treatments that can slow down the rate at which HIV
weakens the immune system. There are other treatments that can prevent or
treat some of the illnesses associated with AIDS. As with other diseases,
early detection offers more options for treatment.
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