another rash question

[anxietyX5]

I have posted here before, but I still have a question about the common HIV rash. I have been told on here before that it is slightly raised and looks alot like a sun burn, and is accompanied by small waxy pimples. My question is, are these pimples all over the body, just on the rashes, or in random places? and would there be more than 1 or 2 pimples? When people get these rashes are they localized to one place, or are they spread throughout the body? And also where is the most common place on the body where they are found? My other question is how big are the rashes usually? Sorry for all the questions, I would just like some clairification for my piece of mind

[Christie04_returns]

The only clarification that will help ease your mind will be a negative HIV test, because a rash can come from a million other things, all of them extemely common and far more likely to be the cause than HIV.  

To quote Dr. HHH  "symptoms mean nothing".  Even rashes.

[anxietyX5]

I have already been tested out to 18 weeks past possible exposure. And all of them have came back negative, but I also know that alot of places say that some people can take as long as 6 months to seroconvert, as rare as it may be it still makes me think. It would make me feel alot better if someone could explain exactly what the common HIV rash looks like.

[scar21]

Hey guys.  
I too am worried about a rash.  I know my risk was low exposure.  One time giving head to a transexual sex worker.  no ejaculation unprotected.  But it is hard to get it out of my head.  I feel flushed a lot like my face is sunburned.  Doesnt look like a rash..more just like I am flushed and red faced and warm.  Not itchy.  Wierd.  But I know that I am OK..just keeps staying on and it makes me think.  I am taking my 6 week test on Saturday.

[Christie04_returns]

No, it is NOT common to take 6 months to seroconvert, regardless of what you've read--it's very, very rare.  Your rash is meaningless in regards to HIV, no matter what it looks like.  You have had a negative test as far as 4 months out.  You are HIV negative.  Learn to live with it, and move on.  

Sorry to sound tough, but that's the truth.

[anxietyX5]

I know in my heart that I don't have HIV, but I still worry about it from time to time. And mostly it is because I get these itchy skin irritation rashes on my thighs. I am willing to let it go, but throughout this whole 4 months worring, I still haven't been able to figure out what a HIV rash looks like. Alot of it is because I am curious.

[Christie04_returns]

Sigh.  If you must.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DHIV%2Brash%26fr%3Dyfp-t-501%26toggle%3D1%26cop%3Dmss%26ei%3DUTF-8&w=476&h=820&imgurl=www.medscape.com%2Fcontent%2F1998%2F00%2F41%2F66%2F416697%2Fart-a3021.sepk.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medscape.com%2Fviewarticle%2F416697_print&size=67.8kB&name=art-a3021.sepk.jpg&p=HIV+rash&type=jpeg&no=4&tt=77&oid=c245638509e7265e&ei=UTF-8

[ScaredUKGirl]

Oh GREAT!!!! Now I really am FREAKED! I was looking at some photos the other day and noticed I had a rash in the pic....INDENTICAL to that in the posted pic! The rash was spread over my shoulder! I notice that in pics taken earlier in the evening the rash is not there and I don't notice that it is in any others! Maybe a heat rash? Too much alcohol? The pics were taken exactly six weeks after the exposure-At the same time as the nodes in my neck swelled!

[anxietyX5]

I know I need to accept that I don't have HIV, but at the same time whenever I see another itchy skin irritation rash on my thighs I start to worry again. I have done the wrong thing by looking on the internet for reasons, but I have found in many different sites that anxiety and stress has been linked to unexplained skin rashes or irritations. And yes alcohol definatly can cause either heat rashes or minor hives in some people. I get these on some occasions when I drink, and I have gotten these many times in the past. Both of us seem to be having a problem with stress and anxiety, and we need to find a way to free ourselves from this. When is the last time you were tested for HIV? Although I'm sure you are fine.

[nonegiven]

Scared UK Girl,

How did your testing go, I noticed you're in the same boat as me about the oral episode, mine lasted about the same amount of time with no ejaculation but yet I am very afraid.  I too had some nausea, diarrhea, achy tiredness about 2 weeks later.  My situation actually occurred in Italy, but abroad nonetheless.  I am at 1.5 year mark but only recently actually became concerned with symptoms after my friend had a scare.  I had never before considered the post-exposure symptoms to be of concern until now.  The more I read online the worse it gets, but Dr. H's comments have reassured me somewhat...

[Xhost]

A test at 18 weeks? The CDC posits, with ample justification, that a 3 month, or 12 week, test is conclusive. And the CDC is very conservative. Other organizations, like the Mass. state health authority, among many, are lowering that to 6 weeks for a conclusive test.

You test at 4 months and 2 weeks, well past the official window period. And you tested negative. My advice is to stop looking at HIV related Websites and to use your time more wisely: such as trying to figure out why you cannot accept that fact that you are HIV negative.

Believe me, I know it can be hard, because I was in your shoes at one time. I finally decided to visit a therapist, who helped me work through issues that were totally unrelated to HIV, but, when worked through, made me realize what the real problem was. And it wasn't HIV. Once I recognized what the real problem was, I forgot all about HIV and have felt much better and much healthier, in all sorts of ways. All of my "symptoms" have since disappeared. Funny how that works.

In any event, the worst possible thing anyone in your situation, or someone waiting to take an HIV test, can do is to start cruising the Internet for rash images, or HIV symptoms, or whatever. I did it. As soon as I read about a symptom, I suddenly had it - much like a first year medical student. So, if anyone is thinking of doing it, don't. You'll be sorry that you did.

[skerdstraght68]

Y O U   A  R  E   H I V   F R E E ! ! ! !  A C C E P T  I T ! ! !

[ScaredUKGirl]

Had negative test just after 2 weeks (non-related to this risk) so need to test again. When I will do this I dont know! But I am past 12 weeks so I need to asap!

[nonegiven]

I hear ya, I'm way past due but never considered myself at risk until I realized that my flu illness 2 weeks later could have been ARS in disguise.  I sort of stumbled upon this info and now it is all I think about!  These sites are somewhat comforting and I know the odds are in my favor but it's hard not to think that I will be the 1 out of 10,000 that has a problem...ahh

[pb46719]

hi,
I think i am in deep trouble pls help me.

One month back I had sex with a sex worker. I didnt use condom first and inserted half way through, immediately removed and used condom. Is the risk level same as unprotected sex?

2 days later i had mild fever and sore throat. took some antibiotic from doctor.

4 days later i found some rashes on my left arm. one was like pimple small red sphere shaped. 2 others were not round, with rough surface.

after 2 weeks i found skin color change on right arm a small brown round shape.

the rashes are still there even after 3 weeks

i also have 2-3 rashes on my back also (just below the neck)

I am having mild diarrhea for last one week

plz help me with the following questions

1. How does the rashes in the initial hiv stage looks like? which all areas it appears? how many rashes will be there, a few or many rashes in one area?
2. Is diarrhea a symptom at the initial stage of HIV?
3.I had other symptoms like muscle pain, neck pain, itching on fingers and a burning sensation on legs, hands and back. are these part of hiv symptoms?

Plz plz help me. I am scared like anything. I think i am going to die out of fear.