Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can a ff ect the ear, nose and throat (ENT) system at any point during the disease. The initial seroconversion may present with the symptoms of glandular fever; this is followed by an asymp - tomatic period of variable length. In the pre-AIDS period, before the full-blown symptoms of the AIDS-related complex, many patients have minor upper respiratory tract symptoms that are often o verlooked, such as otitis externa, rhinosinusitis and a non-specific pharyngitis. As the patient moves into the full-blown AIDS-related complex, a persistent, generalised lymphadenopathy is frequently found a ff ecting the cervical - nodes, which is usually due to follicular hyperplasia. However, patients may also develop tumours such as Kaposi’s sarcoma, sometimes seen in the oral cavity , and high-grade malignant B-cell lymphoma a ff ecting the cervical lymph nodes and - nasopharynx. In addition, multiple ulcers may be found in the oral cavity or pharynx associated with herpesvirus infection. Severe Candida may a ff ect the oral cavity , pharynx, oesophagus or even larynx, and a hairy leukoplakia may a ff ect the tongue ( Figure 52.31 ). the skin in 1872.

Figure 52.31 Intraoral view showing a hairy tongue in a human immu

node /f_i ciency virus-positive patient.

A wide variety of patients experience the feeling of a lump in the throat (from the Latin globus = lump). The symptom most commonly a ff ects adults between 30 and 60 years of age. This feeling is not true dysphagia as there is no di ffi culty in swallowing. Most patients notice the symptom more if they swallow their own saliva (i.e. a forced, dry swallow) rather than when they eat or drink. The aetiology of this common symptom is unknown, but some patients may have gastro-oesophageal reflux or spasm of their cricopharyngeus muscle. Radiological and endoscopic investigation may be necessary to e xclude an underlying cause and/or for patient reassurance. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can a ff ect the ear, nose and throat (ENT) system at any point during the disease. The initial seroconversion may present with the symptoms of glandular fever; this is followed by an asymp - tomatic period of variable length. In the pre-AIDS period, before the full-blown symptoms of the AIDS-related complex, many patients have minor upper respiratory tract symptoms that are often o verlooked, such as otitis externa, rhinosinusitis and a non-specific pharyngitis. As the patient moves into the full-blown AIDS-related complex, a persistent, generalised lymphadenopathy is frequently found a ff ecting the cervical - nodes, which is usually due to follicular hyperplasia. However, patients may also develop tumours such as Kaposi’s sarcoma, sometimes seen in the oral cavity , and high-grade malignant B-cell lymphoma a ff ecting the cervical lymph nodes and - nasopharynx. In addition, multiple ulcers may be found in the oral cavity or pharynx associated with herpesvirus infection. Severe Candida may a ff ect the oral cavity , pharynx, oesophagus or even larynx, and a hairy leukoplakia may a ff ect the tongue ( Figure 52.31 ). the skin in 1872.

Figure 52.31 Intraoral view showing a hairy tongue in a human immu

node /f_i ciency virus-positive patient.

A wide variety of patients experience the feeling of a lump in the throat (from the Latin globus = lump). The symptom most commonly a ff ects adults between 30 and 60 years of age. This feeling is not true dysphagia as there is no di ffi culty in swallowing. Most patients notice the symptom more if they swallow their own saliva (i.e. a forced, dry swallow) rather than when they eat or drink. The aetiology of this common symptom is unknown, but some patients may have gastro-oesophageal reflux or spasm of their cricopharyngeus muscle. Radiological and endoscopic investigation may be necessary to e xclude an underlying cause and/or for patient reassurance.