Oral Adverse Effects of Medical Management in Patients With HIV Infection

Abstract

There has been considerable progress in the management of HIV and the associated infections and malignancies. Many of the treatments used lead to oral complications, and some may cause systemic complications that have implications in oral care. Among the common toxicities of many medications are hematologic toxicity, neurologic toxicity including effects on memory, cognition, motor dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy, and enhanced risk of oral infection. It is essential that oral health care workers treating patients with HIV infection have a basic understanding of the medical therapies and their implications in oral care.