A 40-year-old man in Thailand who sought treatment for persistent white patches in his mouth was subsequently found to have Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
The man told his doctor that he had not had sex or other perceived risk exposure for three years and that an HIV test two years earlier had been negative.
However, his doctor recommended testing again after noticing extensive oral thrush alongside a month-long cough.
Thai doctor Pradit Mekmangkornthong (name transliterated from Thai) shared the case on his Facebook page on 15 Oct.
According to the doctor, the man had no known underlying medical conditions but had developed white patches in his mouth over the past two weeks.
Although they were not painful, he complained of an unpleasant taste that affected his appetite.
Source: ใกล้หมอโพลีคลีนิก on Facebook
He had also experienced a dry cough, particularly in the evenings, for about a month.
An examination found white patches across his palate, throat, inner cheeks, and tongue.
His temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and blood oxygen levels were otherwise normal.
The doctor said extensive oral fungal infections in adults can sometimes be associated with conditions that weaken the immune system.
These can include HIV, poorly controlled diabetes, cancer, chronic kidney disease, tuberculosis, and prolonged use of inhaled steroids, among other causes.
Given the man’s symptoms, the doctor ordered several tests, including blood glucose and syphilis screening, an HIV test, and a chest X-ray.
His blood sugar and chest X-ray were normal, while the syphilis test was negative. However, the anti-HIV test returned positive.
The man reportedly expressed shock at the result.
He told the doctor that he had not had sex for around three years, and had tested negative for HIV two years earlier.
Source: ใกล้หมอโพลีคลีนิก on Facebook
The report does not establish when or how he acquired HIV, and the doctor did not speculate about the source of the infection.
Instead, he advised the patient to focus on starting treatment.
HIV can remain without obvious symptoms for years as it gradually weakens the immune system, with some people only discovering the infection after developing other illnesses.
The doctor prescribed oral and topical antifungal medication, as well as an antiseptic mouthwash, to treat the oral thrush.
The patient’s test results were given to him so that he could seek antiretroviral treatment at his preferred hospital.
The doctor also reassured him that people living with HIV can now manage the condition effectively with consistent treatment and medical follow-up.
He also used the case to remind people that an old negative HIV result does not replace testing when new clinical signs warrant further investigation.
Following the post, some netizens speculated that he may have used a tattoo needle previously used on an HIV-positive person.
Also read: Woman in India allegedly injected with HIV-contaminated syringe by in-laws after dowry dispute
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from ใกล้หมอโพลีคลีนิก on Facebook.