Poison Oak or more...?

[Mcash240]

Over the past 4 days I have developed what I believe to be poison oak. I work catering weddings and was doing yard/flower work and 2 days later I developed itchy spots on my wrist, the following morning it was on my genital region and the itching was so horrible I was prescribed an oral steroid which seems to be helping tremendously. However it is still popping up in some places, is this normal for poison oak.

My concern is this.

About 5 weeks ago I had unprotected sex with a girl I had known for quite some time and I have read that rashes can be a sign of HIV. The rash is linear in some places and in splotches in others. I have no other signs like headache or flue like symptoms, no fever or fatigue.

I got an HIV test 2 days ago and am waiting for the results, Do I need to be worried or am I terrifying myself for no reason ?

[Mcash240]

Does prednisone usualy cause fever or anything so i know ?

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
In all likelihood you are terrified at the prospect of it being HIV. If you did have a flu-like episode then there may be cause to worry, otherwise you have what is an allergic rash called hives.

Hives are red, itchy welts or swellings on the skin that often come in clusters. They sometimes have a light red or pale center surrounded by a darker red area around the borders -- a marking resembling tiny bull's eyes -- but may simply look like large red circles.

Pollens and plants (nettles, poison ivy, poison oak, and so on) are common trigger factors apart from food and medications.

Treatment is with anti-histamines and application of Calamine lotion on the affected areas to relieve the symotoms. Steroids are indicated only in severe outbreaks.
ref:http://www.myonlinewellness.com/topic/hivestreatment