Tags: Disease.
Hairy leukoplakia (also known as oral hairy leukoplakia OHL or HIV-associated hairy leukoplakia) is a white patch on the side of the tongue with a corrugated or hairy appearance. It is caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and occurs usually in persons who are immunocompromised especially those with human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). This white lesion cannot be scraped off much like idiopathic leukoplakia.