Possible HIV rash? I am going nuts here!

On March 7th 2007 I had unprotected anal sex with a man I did not know (I was the top).  On March 17th I went on vacation to Las Vegas (I am from New York) and I returned home on March 24th.  On March 21st I developed on my chest a rash that looked like a sunburn (trust me, it is not a sunburn).  It does not itch at all, and I have not had any other symptoms (no fever, no sore throat, etc. etc.).  The rash covers approximately 75% of my chest but there are two weird things about it:  the rash always stays on my chest but moves around a little every day not always covering the same 75% of my chest.  Also, the last two nights the rash was very noticeable when I went to bed at night but after three hours of sleep I would wake up to go to the bathroom at which time I noticed the rash was gone.  I would go back to bed and in the morning the rash was still gone.  However, after an hour or so by the time I was ready to leave for work the rash would come back.

Can you have an HIV rash without any other symptoms present?  Do HIV rashes go away at night while sleeping only to return an hour after waking up?  Do HIV rashes move around your chest area but never leave the chest?

[skins123]

Not sure about the movement of a rash - but clearly you do need to test - as that is the one of the higher risks for acquiring HIV - However, it still is more difficult for the top partner - so hopefully the rash will not amount to anything.  The only really way to know is to test - and u are approaching 4 weeks post exposure so that would have a pretty good value if you test then.  Given the nature of your exposure (assuming to did not find out status of the other man - which i am guessing) then I would test at 4 weeks 6 weeks and then a final at 13 weeks  - but a 4-6 week test would be a very good indicator of your status - good luck mate

[shaken_55]

From the many sites and postings that I have read through over the past month (hundreds), an rash due to ARS almost always appears in conjuction with a fever. If you have no fever, then it is very, very unlikily that the rash is due to ARS. Also, I have also read that ARS rashed tend to be presistant, not coming and going through the day. I'm sure you fine, but you will probably not be at ease until you get tested.

[atest1970]

I just went to the Dermatologist.  He told me he thinks I either have a viral or bacteria infection but is leaning towards a viral infection.  Although I have not had a sore throat I have had a scratchy throat on an off for the last week since the rash started so he sent me for a throat culture.

At this point I can only hope it is a strep infection.

[skins123]

While Symptoms are NEVER a good indicator when it comes to HIV infection - the absence of fever is certainly encouraging....like i said before - unprotected anal sex with a man is on the higher order of exposures - so it would be prudent to tesl at intervals that i mentioned earlier....i have been down your road before and i know that waiting can suck - but unfortunately there is not much u can do but wait and test.....hopefully everything is going to be fine

[RULER]

for what i have read so far, u should take a test 6 weeks after exposure
not any sooner since supposely you had a high risk exposure 4 weeks might be to soon and i mean might.
and i also heard that ars symptoms never come alone so thats probably in ur favor, another option is to take a prc test i think thats good for 2 thru 3 weeks and u r on 3 weeks already so if do, it should be done tommorow . some body please correct me if i'm wrong. keep us posted please hopefully everything will be fine. and call ur partner if u can and ask their hiv status.

good luck  

[skins123]

No...i never had any overt symptoms....what i mean that i have been down that road is that i have to sweat out the waitng period numerous times because of stupid behaviour....and I can sympthalize with you on how you are feeling.  The best thing i can tell you is that HIV is very difficult to acquire and even more so for the insertive (top) partner.  So the odds right off the bat are in your favor.  Just remember - and this is something that is greatly important - symptoms truly mean nothing when it comes to HIV - there presence or absence mean nothing - only the blood test tells the true story....like i said earlier ....hopefully all will be well

[atest1970]

Thank you for the response.  You mentioned that you have been "down this road before", did you ever have a rash that you suspected might be an ARS rash and obviously turned out to be something else?

[Alex73]

I would rather go with a 4 week Antibody first. If you can find one with P24, i.e. a 3rd or 4th gen sandwich test.

I am reluctant about PCR, firstly they are expensive and secondly not always accurate.

However, a four week Elisa would give you 90-95% surety. I saw someone mentioned higher percentage.

[atest1970]

Well, my rash was pretty much gone by last night.  That makes me feel a little better but not all that much.  It was still a sunburn-like rash, the doctor thinks it was a viral infection (granted he could be wrong) and it developed at 14 days after possible exposure.

The fact that the rash lasted only a week, plus there were no other symptoms, are these two really huge pluses?  I have read on many sights that symptoms usually last 2-3 weeks.

Also, the fact that this was a one time possible exposure, and I was the top, would that greatly lower the risk of infection?