ANUG

[electricone]

After five hours of researching, I finally found this place and would love some insight.

Two months ago, my gums got very irritated and would bleed a bit when I brushed or flossed.  It wasn't surprising because I hadnt been to the dentist in years and last year I was supposed to have scaling done to get rid of the plaque build-up.  So there I was, a year after I was supposed to have it done.... I called and went in for a deep cleaning.  Immediately after, my gums quit bleeding and lost their sensitivity.

Two weeks ago, I noticed that my gums were starting to get sensitive again, so I called the dentist and went in last Wednesday to see if they had missed any places during the prior cleaning.  I was told then that I have ANUG and that smoking, stress and/or a compromised immune system could be to blame.  I was put on antibiotics and immediately after seeing the dentist, I have had no bleeding or sensitivity, so it seems to be healing.


Here is the question.  Is it possible to develop ANUG while seroconverting?  I have not been unsafe in the past year, but have had unprotected oral sex without ejaculation.  When HIV is listed as a a possible cause,  does this mean that one would have to have been infected for years in order for the immune system to be compromised, therefore leading to oral infections? Or again, can ANUG develop immediately after the initial infection?  Also, would HIV related ANUG respond to antibiotics? Because it is clearing up, I am leaning towards the underlying cause not being systemic.  However, maybe the fast healing doesnt mean anything at all.  Any help?

I have been driving myself crazy with this and all of the medical journals have been relatively unclear and unable to answer these questions. 

[RapidRod]

ANUG is often brought on by stress and/or smoking and is a progressive painful infection with ulceration, swelling and sloughing off of dead tissue from the mouth and throat due to the spread of infection from the gums. Other causes of this disease include poor oral hygiene, poor nutrition and throat, tooth or mouth infections. ANUG is a rare condition, which typically affects people between the ages of 15 and 35. ANUG, has nothing to do with HIV. You can contract ANUG any time.

[electricone]

thanks for replying.  Everything Ive read online, however, has stated that oral infections are sometimes indications of HIV infection that has been undiagnosed.  ANUG is one of those.  This is because harmful bacteria in the mouth is allowed to thrive because of a suppressed immune system. I would love to think that they are unrelated, but both the doctor and information online say that they are sometimes related

[thunter34]

what the heck is ANUG?


i have to say it is interesting how so many folks on here will hone in on HIV as the culprit for all ills.  you readily admit, electric, that you've gone for ages without seeing a dentist and have not-so-hot oral hygiene.  don't you think that is the more likely culprit?

[electricone]

ANUG is Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis

I had no idea what it was either.  But yes, it is very rare in Westerners and is most commonly found in developing nations.  That is why HIV infection is considered upon diagnosis in otherwise healthy individuals.  I do have contributing factors other than possible HIV infection.  But I also had questions regarding ANUG'S presence in seroconversion.  Mainly, I wanted to know how long one usually  has been infected with HIV before immuno-suppressant  related illnesses occur.

[ACinKC]

Have you had risky (unprotected anal/vaginal sex/needle sharing) incidents that would lead you to believe you may have contracted HIV?

Dont ask me how I did it, but I missed the ENTIRE last paragraph of your initial post.  The others are 100% right on the money.

Im bowing out of this one for now. 

My apologies.

[Andy Velez]

Nothing in what you have described would lead me to believe HIV is involved in your situation.

But you have been sexually active. If your attention to getting tested regularly for STDs has been as lax as your oral care, then you are long overdue for a full STD panel. That's something we recommend that anyone who's sexually active have done at least once a year.

So how about cutting all this frabber jabber guessing about your status and just have an HIV test done along with a full STD panel.

Nothing you are reporting leads me to expect other than a negative result, but HIV and other STDs are not something to guess about.

Get tested. Period.

Cheers,

[electricone]

thank you all.  I had an std check last year.

Regardless of my status, I am still very interested in answers to the questions contained in my first post, mainly " how long does it take for HIV to compromise your immune system"?

[ACinKC]

As soon as HIV gets a foothold it has technically compromised your immune system.  Symptoms of this and complications deriving from the infection vary greatly from person to person. 

Opportunistic Infections are generally most troublesome when the CD4 count falls below the magical 200 mark.  This mark has no set time period and also varies greatly from person to person.

Good luck to you.

[Andy Velez]

There is no flat out formula answer for how quickly HIV will undermine an immune system. There are a number of factors which play a significant role such as general health at the time of infection, ongoing healthcare, hereditary factors, gender, age and more.     

[electricone]

is there an average?

[Matty the Damned]

No there isn't. In any event, you didn't have a risk for HIV transmission and your poor oral health will not increase your risk of contracting the virus.

Rather than speculating about how quickly HIV can compromise an immune system, you might do better to take the time to read our Welcome Thread and familiarise yourself with how HIV is and is not transmitted.

MtD

[electricone]

thank you.  I am 27 years old and remember being a child hearing about this new epidemic.  I knew I was gay at an early age, and because of my age and the general lack of information, I spent years thinking I was positive simply because I liked other boys in my class.  Unfortunately, this fear has lingered well into adulthood and I get very frightened when it is mentioned, although I have educated myself on transmission and risk.
I had just never heard of ANUG before and it opened the door for concern about seroconversion.
Thanks again for helping me out.  I really appreciate it.

[Andy Velez]

Unfortunately you are by no means the only or even rare young gay adult who grew up with the mistaken idea that if you're gay you have or are destined to have HIV/AIDS.

And if our education system was functioning more responsibly than it is, many both gay and straight would be well educated about how to avoid becoming infected.

Having said that I'm glad you have found your way here and can arm yourself with safer sex information. You can enjoy your healthy sexuality, protect your health and avoid  totally unnecessary worry and anxiety about actions which do not put you at risk. Educating yourself as you have is a good step in that direction.

No matter how your mind may continue to scare you every now and then, as long as you follow safer sex guidelines consistently you will be fine as far as HIV is concerned.

Cheers, l   

[electricone]

well, i grew up in the thick of Appalachia, so I dont think my education system in the 80's is indicative at all off the rest of the country's.  However, it is shocking that I find peers who are sexually active and know nothing about HIV. To them, its what all of the "old" guys got and that is scary.

again, thank you so much for running this forum and for the responses