Linear Gingival Erythema
Bleeding gums for the past 2 days was the complaint of this 22-year-old woman. She is HIV-positive but has been clinically asymptomatic. Her CD4 lymphocyte count is 84/μL, and her viral load is 160,885 copies/mL. Despite maintaining good oral hygiene, she has a distinct fiery red band along the gingival margin.
Bleeding gums for the past 2 days was the complaint of this 22-year-old woman. She is HIV-positive but has been clinically asymptomatic. Her CD4 lymphocyte count is 84/µL, and her viral load is 160,885 copies/mL. Despite maintaining good oral hygiene, she has a distinct fiery red band along the gingival margin. This is linear gingival erythema (formerly known as HIV gingivitis), writes Dr Lauren L. Patton of Chapel Hill, NC. This patient's condition resolved after a week's treatment consisting of oral rinses with 0.12% chlorhexidine and systemic metronidazole.
