What causes dry mouth and bumps on the back of tongue?
Patient: Hi I had protected sex with a girl I met in a nightclub in Zambia, she was not a prostitute. But, from the very next day I was extremely worried that I contracted HIV. I could not sleep the whole night through for weeks. 6 months after the night I had a HIV test and it came back negative. However, its been 13 months since that night and I am now sure that I am developing symptoms of HIV. I have had a dry mouth for 3 weeks now, and have raised red bumps on the back of my tongue, and I have just noticed a few tiny red blotches on my shin. pleases help I am struggling to cvope with the anxiety Doctor: Hi Dear ,Welcome to HCM.Understanding your concern.As per your query you are having symptoms of dry mouth and bumps on the back of tongue which you are presuming as HIV, but is not due to that. Its not a symptom of early infection and what you are experiencing is most surely due to anxiety. The mouth is an inhospitable environment for HIV and saliva does contains molecules that inhibit the virus. Your risk is even further decreased by the fact that you used protection as well. Don't panic about it, its all your anxiety. Dry mouth, white coating could be due to oral thrush or leucoplakia. You should take multivitamin tablet to booster immunity of oral cavity. Chew on few drops of lemon or put them in oral cavity to stimulate taste secretions. Maintain proper oral hygiene by brushing, flossing. Use antimicrobial mouth rinse on daily basis. Use tongue scrapper lightly to remove debris and coating on tongue. If you are still anxious , visit oral pathologist and go for few tests such as PCR, P24 etc to confirm.Hope your concern has been resolved.Get Well Soon.Best Wishes,Dr. Harry Maheshwari