Mulloscum Contagiosum w/ Neg HIV test ?

[hopefulhealthy]

Thank you in advance for your expert opinion. I have been struggling with a rash of pimples on my forehead and chin for the last 5-6 months. I`ve only just now come to the realization of what it is after I noticed that my fiancée started having similar bumps on his neck about a month ago. This has now spread to his shoulders, back and arms, in large numbers. The bumps are rather small in size, flesh color, some have dimples in the middle.I am extremely worried becuase I have read that this condition is present in large number in HIV patients, especially since they keep spreading, etc. I got tested the 17th of July with a rapid test, negative for HIV antibodies, and then again with a 4th generation Combo test the fallowing week, around the 21st, just for good measure. Both were negative. The reason I got tested in the first place was because I got a terrible flu, which ended up being Mononucleosis, diagnosed fallowing a Monospot test. Can I be sure that this condition isn`t being aggravated because of an HIV infection? I had these HIV tests at 37 and 42 days post-exposure. Thank you

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.

The title of your question indicates you have concluded your and your partner's pimple-like skin lesions are molluscum contagiosum.  However, I doubt they are.  MC of the upper body (face, trunk, etc) is very rare in adults; and when MC does appear in such locations in association with HIV, it is only in people with very advanced AIDS.  If that's what you had, you and your partner would be deathly ill, with a large number of other symptoms.

In addition, HIV test results always overrule symptoms, exposure history, or anything else.  It isn't possible to have HIV with the negative tests you had at 37 and 42 days. In other words, your results prove you don't have HIV.

So my advice is that you put HIV out of your mind; and see a doctor or clinic to learn the cause of your skin bumps.  If uncertain of your primary care doctor's expertise in skin disease, you could see a dermatologist.

Regards--  HHH, MD

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

This information does not change my opinion or advice.  I continue to doubt very much that you have MC.  And even if I'm wrong, your blood test results prove you don't have HIV.

Please return with a follow-up comment after you have been professionally evaluated and let us know what the diagnosis of your skin condition is.  But I won't have more to say until then.  In the meantime, stop spending any more time or energy trying to figure this out on line or by self-determined blood tests.

[hopefulhealthy]

  Thank you for your speedy response! I am so worried about these bumps because they don't seem to resolve, regardless of what I do, and they look identical to all of the pictures that I've seen online for Molloscum. I didn't realize that Molloscum was only predominant in late AIDS ... I suppose it that were the case for me, my previous HIV test 2 1/2 years ago would have reflected this. My health has always been generally well until 3 months ago when I got Mono, and this seemed to flare up even more. Apart from my two recent HIV tests, I have had 4 CBC tests and random blood tests since the Mono, which were all good. The only other problem that I have other than these bumps is a persistent enlarged spleen, fallowing the mono. Given this info, does this change your opinion?