# The Mouth Tells the Tale: Kaposi Sarcoma as the First Clue to Undiagnosed AIDS

## TL;DR

This paper presents a case where Kaposi sarcoma in the mouth was the first sign of undiagnosed AIDS in a patient without a known HIV history.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in highlighting oral Kaposi sarcoma as an early indicator of advanced HIV/AIDS in a previously undiagnosed patient.

## Key findings

- Oral Kaposi sarcoma was diagnosed as the initial manifestation of advanced HIV/AIDS.
- The patient had no prior HIV history but presented with systemic symptoms and oral lesions.
- Early recognition of KS can lead to timely HIV diagnosis and treatment.

## Abstract

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a vascular neoplasm associated with human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8), most commonly seen in individuals with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS. We report the case of a 52-year-old male patient with no known HIV history who presented with a three- to four-month history of worsening sore throat, oral pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and systemic symptoms including night sweats and fatigue. The patient was eventually diagnosed with oral KS based on pathological results. This case highlights KS as a potential initial manifestation of advanced HIV/AIDS and the importance of early recognition and treatment.