Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG) is a condition characterized by severe inflammation and infection of the periodontal tissues. Periodontal tissues refer to any of the tissues that suupport and surround the teeth, including the gums and the bone surrounding the roots of the teeth. Symptoms of ANUG include severe inflammation, swelling, redness, and bleeding of the gums. Halitosis (bad breath) and exudate (pus) may also be present, as well as an actual loss of the gum and bone tissue, which occurs as a result of necrosis, or death, of the tissue. It should be noted that ANUG is not like the usual forms of periodontal disease seen in many patients; it is much more severe, progressive, and difficult to treat. Again, ANUG is rare, and is typically only found in patients with underlying systemic conditions that affect the body's ablity to heal itself, such as uncontrolled diabetes or HIV/AIDS. ANUG is fairly rare today, but was common years ago. The condition is also called 'trench mouth' because it was commonly seen in soldiers in WWI and WWII who were in the 'trenches' for long periods of time and suffered from malnutrition, poor dental hygiene, and of course, intense stress.