Hi everyone, I'm in a bit of a predicament and any advice or insight would really help. First off, I know that I since I'm worried, I should really just go see a doctor, but I just graduated college and I'm without insurance right now. Around late September I began experiencing tongue pain about 2 days after I cut the inside of my gum with my fingernail pretty badly. The cut was infected and then became a cancer sore and then the tongue pain started. It appeared that some of my taste buds were inflamed (they were big and white, with the surrounding tongue area red). The inflammation has gone down considerably (as has the pain), but now there are small white bumps on the top of my tongue, and it has a generally white color to it, at least more so than the sides or underneath (and it does not scrape off), being more red at the tip. My tongue seems to get better (normal color but always with some small white bumps) to worse (a generally white color, more coating in the back and more discomfort - sort of a burning sensation) - it seems like it cycles. Whatever is going on, it doesn't resemble thrush, oral leukoplakia or any other oral manifestations of HIV that I have read about. I saw a doctor about 3 weeks ago, and he said that it was unimpressive, and that I should rinse my mouth with saltwater, but the thought of HIV hadn't crossed my mind yet, so I didn't even bring that possibility up. I think he just assumed that it was due to the cut from my gum, but I really don't know. I guess I'd just like to know if anyone has ever heard of any condition that this resembles, because I can't find anything that sounds or looks anything like it. I have no other symptoms, and I'm not in a high risk group for HIV, but this problem has been going on for nearly 2 months, and I'm scared and confused as to what this could be. Any advice, thoughts or knowledge would really help me out, thanks a lot everyone

dont worry at all!! you have nothing to worry about this is a symptom of a lot of things that aren't serious, cheer up!!