RESUMO
Basic knowledge concerning the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is useful for ENT physicians. Although HIV patients are usually stably asymptomatic nowadays due to modern therapy, HIV often manifests in ENT symptoms, such as neck lumps, sore throat, difficulty swallowing and dysgeusia. After infection, an initial increase in viral load can cause, among other symptoms, oral ulcers and pharyngitis. Once the immune system is compromised by the attack on CD4 lymphocyte cells, HIV-related diseases can occur: oral mycoses (particularly candidosis) and viral infections (including warts), aphthous ulcers, gingivitis, salivary gland diseases and malignancies (e. g. intraoral Kaposi's sarcoma). Neck lymphadenopathy is frequent. Markers of disease severity are the clinical symptoms, viral load and CD4 helper cell count. HIV treatment (antiretroviral therapy, ART) is a combination of at least three antiviral drugs.