Lauren Horton

Brittney Ho

HAIRY LEUKOPLAKIA

• Results from infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)

• Once you've been infected with EBV, the virus remains in your body for life.

• Normally, the virus is dormant, but if your immune system is weakened, either from disease or certain medications, the virus

can become reactivated.

• People with HIV/AIDS are especially likely to develop hairy leukoplakia. Although the use of some drugs have reduced the

number of cases, hairy leukoplakia still affects a number of HIV-positive people and it may be one of the first signs of HIV

infection.

DESCRIPTION

Hairy Leukoplakia is also referred to as leucoplakia, leukokeratosis, leukoplasia, idiopathic leukoplakia,

idiopathic keratosis, or idiopathic white patch. Refers to a condition where areas of keratosis appear as firmly

attached white patches on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity

SCIENIFIC DESCRIPTION

• Hairy Leukoplakia may be one of the first signs of infection with HIV

Symptoms and signs of hairy leukoplakia include:• Irregular non-painful white patches on the sides of the

tongue and less frequently elsewhere on the tongue or in the mouth

• Patches look corrugated or folded in appearance with tiny fuzzy hair-like protrusions running along the folds

• Patches look similar to Candida infection (oral thrush), except hairy leukoplakia lesions cannot be moved or

dislodged

SYMPTOMS

Although the cause of leukoplakia is unknown, tobacco use, including smoking and chewing, appears to be responsible for most cases. Often, regular users of smokeless tobacco products eventually develop leukoplakia where they hold the tobacco against their cheeks. Long-term alcohol use

and other chronic irritants also may contribute to leukoplakia.

CAUSES

• Hairy leukoplakia is not usually treated specifically for itself

• Gentian violet has been reported to be effective, and a few cases appear to have responded to valaciclovir.

• Secondary infection may be treated using antifungal medication.

CURE

If this infection caused on the ‘buccal mucosa’ is left untreated for a very long period, it becomes painful. When

the conditions become hazardous, it may lead to cancer.

RESULT IF UNTREATED

• No racial predilection has been established for oral hairy leukoplakia

• Oral hairy leukoplakia is most commonly observed in homosexual men who are HIV positive, especially in

those who smoke• No age predilection has been established for oral hairy

leukoplakia• Fewer cases of oral hairy leukoplakia have been reported

in non-HIV patients

DID YOU KNOW?

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WORKS CITED