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HIV rash and primary infection
HI, I was just wondering would a rash occuring in the primary stage of hiv infection occur on the top of hands and arms and would it come and go? And what would it generally look like? are there any other std's that have symptoms that relate to the ones of hiv?
Rash due to HIV-related ARS does not occur alone. It would be accompanied by other, serious "flu-like" symptoms, notably fever, fatigue (like when you have the flu), and lymphadenopathy.
All of the symptoms together will last from a few days to 2 weeks. They do not 'come and go'.
HIV-related ARS rash is concentrated on the upper torso, neck, and face, and tends to be non-itchy. It looks very similar to other viral rashes (e.g., measles, rubella) and to a drug-interaction rash. More rarely, it can also involve the palms and peeling skin.
http://www1.lf1.cuni.cz/~hrozs/skin/primo3mi.JPG
http://www1.lf1.cuni.cz/~hrozs/skin/prtrup3mi.JPG
Bottom line: NO symptoms are a definite indicator of HIV. However, if you are experiencing a rash that 'comes and goes' and is concentrated on your extremities (arms/legs), and you have no other symptoms of illness, you can be confident that it is not related to HIV.
Rash is also associated with secondary (2nd stage)syphilis. This would indicate a long-standing (2+ years) of infection with syphilis.
http://depts.washington.edu/nnptc/online_training/std_handbook/gallery/images/syphilisrash.jpg
Overall, excema seems like a more likely source, based on what I could glean from your description. See your PCP or a dermatologist for proper diagnosis.
All of the symptoms together will last from a few days to 2 weeks. They do not 'come and go'.
HIV-related ARS rash is concentrated on the upper torso, neck, and face, and tends to be non-itchy. It looks very similar to other viral rashes (e.g., measles, rubella) and to a drug-interaction rash. More rarely, it can also involve the palms and peeling skin.
http://www1.lf1.cuni.cz/~hrozs/skin/primo3mi.JPG
http://www1.lf1.cuni.cz/~hrozs/skin/prtrup3mi.JPG
Bottom line: NO symptoms are a definite indicator of HIV. However, if you are experiencing a rash that 'comes and goes' and is concentrated on your extremities (arms/legs), and you have no other symptoms of illness, you can be confident that it is not related to HIV.
Rash is also associated with secondary (2nd stage)syphilis. This would indicate a long-standing (2+ years) of infection with syphilis.
http://depts.washington.edu/nnptc/online_training/std_handbook/gallery/images/syphilisrash.jpg
Overall, excema seems like a more likely source, based on what I could glean from your description. See your PCP or a dermatologist for proper diagnosis.
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