Please see the attached picture of my white tongue. I had oral sex and took HIV ELISA and CMIA tests at 5 weeks, 5 months, and 24 weeks after exposure, all were negative. However, I still have a white coating on my tongue (which I can scrape off in the morning while brushing) and occasional joint pain. I read on the internet that these could be symptoms of HIV, and I have been very worried for months. Are my test results conclusive, or do I need further testing?

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Shaik Kalam

General Practitioner

MD (Physician)
3+ Yrs

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Your HIV ELISA and CMIA tests at 5 months and 24 weeks are conclusive, ruling out HIV. A white tongue that scrapes off is often due to oral hygiene, dehydration, or mild fungal infection, not HIV. Occasional joint pain can have many causes and is not specific to HIV. Maintain good hydration and oral hygiene. If the white tongue persists, do a Vitamin B12 test and consult a doctor for oral examination.

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Answered 12/09/2025

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