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CLINICAL REVIEW: Crispian Scully and Stephen Porter ABC of oral health: Swellings and red, white, and pigmented lesions BMJ 2000; 321: 225-228 [Full text]

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OHL is not AIDS defining.

Ian Greenwood   (25 July 2000)

OHL is not AIDS defining. 25 July 2000
Ian Greenwood, Staff Grade Mortimer Market Centre, london Send response to journal: Re: OHL is not AIDS defining.	It is important that physiciams and dentists alike recognise that Oral Hairy Leukoplakia (note spelling!) is not an AIDS defining lesion as stated in this article. Though the diagnosis can only truly be made by biopsy and demonstrtaion of EBV this is seldom necessary when faced with a known HIV patient with the clinical signs of the condition. An AIDS diagnosis is shattering to HIV patients and all healthcare workers involved with this patient group should be fully conversant with what does and does not constitute AIDS.