Number of Symptoms leading up to?

[Deedesign]

Hello Doc. SInce October I have had a number of problems all starting with a jock itch rash that was pretty bad. It was all over the folds of my groin into the underside & the crack of my butt. It also turned into a staph infection with boils on my thighs & stomach. I went to a Uroligist at that time and told me I had jock itch with a staph infection, gave me antiobitics & the boils cleared up. The jock itch has come back, subsided & then returned periodically until now. I have very itching feeling in the crack of my butt & where the crease is is always bright red. There are no bumps or pimples, just bright red & some days itching then other, more after I have a bowel movement.  In the creases of my groin there is redness & if I do not put any Tinactin or Clotrimozole cream for a few days its gets worse. Since I was dealing with that I had some tongue pain & focused on that, I have had constant irritation as well as pain in my mouth, mostly tongue. I had gotten more then usually canker sores as well. Then to top it off I got the Molluscum I wrote before about. Its one thing after another & wanted to know what you think? I am getting the Molluscum taken care with my derm. I have no fever & all of that but there is always something. I am concerned about HIV to be honest. I am a straight guy who does have sex and always protected and unprotected oral. About 3 years ago I did have a relatioship with someone that was unprotected vaginal sex, about 3 months of a relationship. Does my symptoms spell anything that you can think of? Is my returning rash spell immune problems? Thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

All you describe could occur despite entirely normal immunity and no other underlying health problem of any importance.  But widespread or treatment-resistant molluscum, and perhaps your other symptoms, could be due to HIV or other immune deficiency.  Whether HIV is a likely explanation depends in part on your behavioral HIV risks:  you likely  know that gay men, injection drug users, and heterosexual exposure to partners known to be HIV-positive are the main people at risk for HIV in the US.



It would be wise to have an HIV test.  Assuming that comes back negative, see an internal medicine specialist for an evaluation for other underlying causes.  (Or an infetious diseases specialist; if you're in or near a good-sized town, there should be some available, but few ID specalists practice in small communities.)



Good luck--  HHH, MD

[Deedesign]

Thank you. I live next to NYC so I am sure I can find one, can you recommend one for me? I did take about 2 weeks ago a home HIV test, the ones with the results in 15 minutes & that was negative. It tests for HIV 1 & 2.  In Dec. I took a CBC which showed normal everything, just a little high cholesterol. Can many of these symptoms be due to stress? As for the MS, its not widespread & the derm told me that I may need to come in a few times because he said a few more may pop up or he may of missed some when treating them. I am not a gay man, I never take drugs, I do not even smoke, & have never had sex with someone that I knew had HIV. What other conditions are there that I should know about? Thanks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I just can't speculate further; not my area of expertise.  Sorry, I don't have any specific to refer you to; but check out an internal medicien or infectious diseases specialist.



Good luck-- HHH, MD

[Deedesign]

Ok, I understand. As far as the negative result I had with the home HIV test & a normal CBC, do you think my odds are good for not having it? I will still get tested on everything but just wondering your opinion?

[Deedesign]

I just saw my derm. & he told me that what I have, all my other symptoms does not mean anything serious & has seen this in so many people with great immune systems. HE also said that the MC that I have was from a sexual contact being this in my pubic hair region & lower stomach, anyone can get that, he said if it was widespread & came out of nowhere then its a different story but still does not mean HIV, so just thought I would share.

[steve123]

Sounds like you just have multiple problems at once, but none are that serious.  I know jock itch can be a pain to get rid of,  I've had it before,  The mistake I made was stopping treatment when I thought I was better.  When I finally just decidied to apply anti-fungal cream and then powder up to 2 weeks or so after I last noticed it,  then it finally went away.  The pictures I've seen of people with Mollusum that also have an immune system problem, the lesions are pretty wide spread,  100s of lesions in some situations.