HIV never causes rash as the only symptom. ARS rash appears only in combination with other symptoms, especially fever, sore throat, and usually enlarged lymph nodes. And a dermatologist's opinion is definitely valid -- certainly more accurate than any opinion from a distant sources like this forum.
The timing is indeed just a coincidence with your new years even sexual adventures. Look at it logically. As a guess, a couple million people in the US get new allergic rash each month; and a few million have new unprotected sexual encounters each month. It stands to reason that both things happen to a lot of people, simply on a random basis.
Anyway, assuming you're in the US or other industrialized country, and if your partners are not injection drug users or immigrants from countries with high HIV rates (or a few other obvious high risk factors), the chance any of them has HIV is near zero.
Since you're nervous about HIV, have a blood test for reassurance purposes. It will be negative. While you're at it, your sexual lifestyle suggests you should also have routine STD testing -- urine tests for gonorrhea or chlamydia and a syphilis blood test.
But no worries about your rash. Whatever the cause, it isn't HIV.
Regards-- HHH, MD
The additional information doesn't change my opinion or advice. No, I have never seen or heard of a rash like you describe that turned out to be caused by HIV.
And yes, Doc, you are correct also in getting checked out for other stuff. I've had a full STD panel done and am waiting on the results. This has been a life changing experience for me that I will never let happen again. If all comes out well, I will quit drinking for at least 6 months and reasses from there not to mention the renewal of my faith and religion. Not to judge anyone but myself, but I've realized how much time I've wasted and poor decisions I've made because of years of partying and drinking too much and what a poor life I've lead for a long time in terms of my faith. This experience has forced me to realize what things are important in life and how easily I could throw away all the gifts I've been given. Something for others who read this to maybe think about as well. Thanks again and God bless you all.
Doc,
Thank you very much for your comments and reassurance. You were correct in your assumptions. This happened in the US, I am a white male, and she was a white female from around Dallas (not to sound racist, I've just read the disproportionate infection numbers of minorities, especially blacks in this country). I have no reason to believe she was an injection drug user. As for the rash, I was just very freaked out since as I said I NEVER get rashes, but will admit I just moved to Puerto Rico and have had a couple of colleges already tell me how they and their family have gotten new rashes since coming here. Also reassuring is what I've read about classical ARS rash locations (upper back, chest, neck, and/or face) and description (slightly raised in texture and spread evenly bilaterally on both sides of the body). So, I apologize for you having to respond to yet another low risk scenario. But for my education and the education of others, have you ever heard or seen an ARS rash that was concentrated on one side of the body and/or in the two distinct locations of Underarm and/or Groin? Thank you greatly for your time and patience. You and the other doctors provide a great service to us all.