Recurring Furnacles/HIV?

[seli]

For the past three months I have recurring outbreaks of small and large red bumps, some of which are painful on my thighs and pubic area, becoming more frequent over the past month. They start out as small pimple like bumps (with white heads and itch). A few have grown to large red bumps which then burst with puss and blood. A few larger ones after having burst now have left small bruise like circles. I had one drined by my doctor who said they were furnacles or carbuncles. I also have a jock itch like rash on one side of my groin. My concern is that these could be symptoms of HIV. I am overweight so I thought these could be caused by constrictive clothing during the warmer summer months. I generally feel healthy. How long ater being infected with HIV would you see these type of symptoms?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Furuncles are boils, and that sounds like what you have.  I think you should be treated for this--perhaps with antibiotic pills, creams, and washes.  I doubt that HIV has anything to do with this.  If you've had high-risk behavior, you should let the doctor know and be checked accordingly, but your first priority is to get the infections taken care of.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff