HIV and AIDS: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and More
What Does An HIV Rash Look Like?
A rash can be an early symptom of HIV, but HIV can also increase the risk of developing different types of rashes. The rash may be discolored and include mild itchiness.
People who develop a rash and believe they may have had exposure to HIV should seek medical advice. If an HIV infection is present, treatment can help manage it effectively.
HIV transmits from one person to another when bodily fluids come into contact with each other. These include blood, semen, rectal and vaginal fluids, and breast milk.
Exposure to HIV can happen if a person has sex or shares needles with someone who has the virus.
In this article, find out what an HIV rash looks like, what causes rashes linked to HIV, and what to do if they happen.
The following images here show some ways in which HIV may affect the skin.
No single rash is specific to HIV. As HIV involves changes in the immune system, it can trigger a variety of skin reactions.
However, the rash that occurs at the early stage usually appears flushed, discolored, or reddish in people with fair skin, or dark purplish in people with dark skin. The blemishes are flat, and there may be mild itchiness.
A rash can be an early sign of HIV, occurring as a result of seroconversion. This is the acute, or early stage, of HIV, which usually occurs 2–4 weeks after exposure to the virus.
During the seroconversion or acute HIV stage, the body produces antibodies to the virus. Between 50-90% of all people with HIV experience flu-like symptoms at this stage, and some people may develop a rash.
Sometimes, a rash is the only symptom of HIV, but because HIV impacts the immune system, there are often other symptoms, too.
Early symptoms of an HIV infection that can occur alongside a rash include:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these symptoms may appear 2–4 weeks after exposure and last between a few days and several weeks.
Anyone who experiences these symptoms after possible exposure to HIV should seek advice about testing.
If a rash occurs as a symptom of the acute stage of HIV, it will usually go away as the immune system produces antibodies to HIV.
After this, however, if a person is not taking medications to control HIV, they may have a higher chance of developing further rashes and skin problems. This is because HIV leads to a weakened immune system.
When the immune system is compromised, it becomes easier for viruses, fungi, bacteria, parasites, and other causes to trigger a rash.
Conditions that may appear with skin symptoms include:
In some cases, treatment for HIV can trigger an allergic skin reaction.
A rash that appears during seroconversion will usually disappear without intervention, but other types of rash may occur later.
HIV-related rashes vary greatly. The chance of developing a rash will depend on factors such as:
In time, other rashes can develop due to conditions, such as herpes and psoriasis. People with these conditions have symptoms that often improve or disappear for a while but then return.
The severity of each outbreak varies but depends partly on the immune function. Some medications, such as antiviral drugs for herpes, can reduce the severity of each outbreak.
Learn more about how psoriasis and HIV are related.
Acute skin conditionsRashes that result from an infection will go away with appropriate treatment.
However, due to HIV's impact on the immune system, infections can become more likely. A previous rash may return, or a new one may appear.
Medication-related rashesDrugs for treating HIV can sometimes trigger a rash. Anyone who believes they have a rash due to their medication should speak to a member of their healthcare team. It is often possible to switch to another drug.
It is essential to speak to a doctor before changing or discontinuing treatment.
Taking antiviral medication keeps viral levels low and reduces HIV's impact on the immune system. Many people can now live a healthy life with HIV, but it is essential to follow the treatment plan.
Learn more here about living with HIV.
Prompt testing and early treatment are effective at stopping the progress of HIV, and early treatment for a rash can help prevent complications.
TestingAnyone who develops a rash or flu-like symptoms should seek medical advice if they think they have come into contact with HIV.
They can undergo a test for HIV. If the result is positive, a healthcare team can help them develop a treatment plan that will help them stay healthy.
With current medication, it is possible to reduce the level of virus in the body to undetectable levels. The risk of diseases and infections falls, and a person cannot transmit HIV to another person. In other words, undetectable = untransmittable.
The CDC provides a locator to help people locate HIV testing services in their area.
Rash treatmentPeople who already have a diagnosis of HIV should see a doctor if a new rash develops or an existing rash gets worse.
Emergency medical attention may be necessary if:
Drug reactionsIn rare cases, HIV medications can trigger a serious hypersensitivity reaction known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Symptoms include:
If anyone experiences these symptoms or other symptoms that may indicate a hypersensitivity or allergy — such as dizziness and breathing difficulty — they should seek urgent medical attention.
How to identify HIV rash?An HIV rash typically emerges during the acute phase of infection and may be itchy, painful, and accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as fever and swollen lymph nodes.
It usually appears flushed, discolored, or reddish in people with fair skin, or dark purplish in people with dark skin.
However, the presence of a rash alone does not provide a definitive diagnosis of HIV. Early testing is crucial for prompt management if HIV infection is confirmed.
What can be mistaken for HIV?HIV can be mistaken for the following:
Where do HIV lesions first appear?Generally speaking, HIV lesions can appear on the face, chest, abdomen, arms, and legs.
What does your skin look like when you have HIV?Skin appearance in people with HIV varies widely, with no specific indicator unique to the virus.
Some may develop rashes during acute infection, while others might experience opportunistic infections like fungal, bacterial, or viral skin conditions due to a weakened immune system. Drug reactions and skin disorders are also possible.
Consulting a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and testing is crucial if a person is concerned about skin health or HIV status.
The rash that appears in the early stage of HIV typically manifests as flushed, discolored, or reddish in individuals with fair skin, and dark purplish in those with dark skin.
A rash may also occur due to HIV medications or other infections.
Early testing and treatment for HIV can help a person live a healthy life and reduce the risk of developing HIV-associated infections and other conditions.
If anyone thinks they have come into contact with HIV, they should ask about a test, especially if they develop a rash and other symptoms within the following few weeks after exposure.
Read the article in Spanish.
What Causes Red Bumps On Your Legs?
Red bumps on your legs may be caused by allergies, insect bites, skin conditions, or a more serious underlying condition. On dark skin tones, bumps may appear violet or gray and be harder to see.
In most instances, there's no need to panic if you see red bumps on your legs. While they may be itchy and annoying, they are typically not a cause for concern.
However, skin conditions do carry the risk of becoming more serious infections. It's important to treat your rash as a healthcare professional recommends and keep an eye out for symptoms of infection, such as pain, fever, or swelling around the bumps.
The chart below summarizes some of the most common causes of red bumps on your legs.
Read on to learn more about each cause, what it may look like on different skin tones, and how to treat the bumps.
The following are images of conditions that may cause red bumps on the legs in different skin tones.
Keratosis pilaris can look like small red or dark bumps that resemble goosebumps on the fleshier areas of your thighs and arms. In most cases, they won't feel itchy.
Research indicates that keratosis pilaris is a common condition that affects about 50% to 80% of adolescents and 40% of adults.
These bumps may appear a few shades deeper than your skin tone if you have dark skin.
Learn more about treatment for keratosis pilaris.
Folliculitis is typically caused by an infection in the hair follicles of the scalp or on areas of the body that have been shaved. The condition is mostly caused by staph bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). Folliculitis can also be caused by inflammation from ingrown hairs, viruses, or fungi.
Folliculitis results in small bumps or pimples on the skin, which is commonly known as "razor burn" or "razor rash." The bumps may appear red on light skin tones and the shade of your skin tone or a deeper shade if you have dark skin.
Shaving, tight clothing, and combining heat and sweat are common causes of folliculitis.
Learn more about treatment for folliculitis.
If the red bumps combine in patches and itch, you may have eczema. Eczema can also appear dark brown, purple, or ashen gray on dark skin tones.
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition. It may be dry and scaly, or it can blister and ooze a clear fluid. Eczema tends to flare up due to various triggers, such as cosmetics, soaps, temperature, and even stress.
Research highlighted in a 2019 study details that people of all ages can have eczema, but 85% to 95% of eczema diagnoses begin in children under 5 years old.
Learn more about treatment for eczema.
Hives, clinically known as "urticaria," are raised, itchy, red, or skin-tone welts. They turn white when you press their center. Hives can appear anywhere on the body, and people of all ages can get them.
Hives are usually similar in color to your skin tone. Sometimes they may be slightly lighter or darker, depending on what's causing them. Because of their common lack of pigment, hives on dark skin can be more difficult to identify.
Hives can be triggered by things such as pollen or insect bites and even some medications.
Learn more about treatment for hives.
Your little red bumps may be insect bites, especially if they're very itchy. Insect bites on dark skin tones may appear purple or dark brown.
Common culprits include:
Learn more about how to treat insect bites.
Psoriasis is a chronic condition that causes scaly patches to appear on the skin. It may appear red on light skin tones and violet or gray on dark skin tones.
Certain forms of psoriasis, such as guttate psoriasis, may also cause small-scale-like spots to appear on the skin.
Triggers or risk factors for guttate psoriasis include:
Learn more about treatment for psoriasis.
There are several different types of skin cancer. These include basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and Bowen's disease. Skin cancer is typically caused by unprotected, consistent exposure to the sun.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that BCC is the most common form of skin cancer. BCCs are abnormal growths that form in the skin's basal cell layer. They often appear as small, shiny red bumps, and they can look like an open sore. They may also appear as brown or glossy black bumps on dark skin tones.
Bowen's diseaseBowen's disease is an early form of skin cancer. It appears on the surface of the skin and is also referred to as "squamous cell carcinoma in situ." Bowen's disease may appear as a scaly patch, which may ooze, crust over, or itch.
Learn more about treatment for skin cancer.
Vasculitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the blood vessels. This decrease in the flow of blood results in a wide range of symptoms.
There are many types of vasculitis, most of which are rare. Some of the types, including hypersensitivity vasculitis and Kawasaki disease, have red, purple, or dark bumps as a symptom.
What STI causes bumps on thighs?The molluscum contagiosum is an STI that can cause bumps on the thighs and other areas of your skin. It can spread through skin-to-skin contact, including during sex.
What are the little red bumps on my legs that look like pimples?You can experience little red bumps on your legs that look like pimples after shaving. This may indicate razor burn, which is a form of folliculitis.
What does a stress rash look like on the legs?Stress can trigger eczema or psoriasis. Both skin conditions can appear on the body as patches that may be red, purple, dark brown, or gray.
The presence of little red bumps on your legs isn't necessarily a matter of concern. If you experience itching or discomfort, a healthcare professional can help identify the cause and recommend the best treatment.
Bumps may be harder to see on dark skin tones and can appear purple, gray, or darker than the skin tone.
Skin conditions do carry the risk of becoming more serious infections. It's important to treat your rash as a healthcare professional recommends and keep an eye out for symptoms of infection, such as pain, fever, or swelling around the bumps.
Getting A Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Diagnosis
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is diagnosed using one of three types of tests: nucleic acid, antigen/antibody, and antibody tests. These tests may use either a sample of your blood or saliva to get results. A healthcare provider can also use a urine sample. No test can detect the virus right after exposure. The window for how early a test can detect HIV after exposure depends on the test and varies anywhere from 10 to 90 days.
HIV is a virus that attacks white blood cells (called CD4 cells) in the immune system. These cells help your body fight infections. HIV kills CD4 cells, causing your immune system to weaken and become vulnerable to other illnesses.
Getting tested for HIV is the only way to diagnose HIV. HIV can cause damage to the immune system and lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) if untreated. Knowing your HIV status can get you started on treatment sooner, help you reduce symptoms, and stabilize the spread of HIV in your immune system.
You can get a test for HIV at a healthcare provider's office, family planning clinic, pharmacy, mobile testing van, or during HIV/AIDS awareness-related community events. At-home HIV tests are also available for pick-up or purchase in some pharmacies and clinics. These places can connect you to specialists who provide HIV care, knowledge about treatment options, and other social services if you receive a diagnosis or a positive test result.
Experts advise that HIV testing be a part of everyone's routine healthcare screening, including people who are pregnant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that anyone aged 13–64 get tested for HIV at least once. You'll want to get tested for HIV if you have symptoms of acute or chronic HIV. Not everyone experiences HIV symptoms, which can mimic flu-like symptoms. Healthcare providers recommend frequent testing (i.E., at least once a year) for people who participate in behaviors that increase their risk of acquiring HIV. These behaviors include: Being a man who has sex with another man Engaging with more than one sexual partner Having sex with someone who is HIV positive Having unprotected vaginal and anal sex Receiving a separate diagnosis for sexually transmitted infection (STI), hepatitis, or tuberculosis Sharing of needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment Getting tested after taking part in these activities is important. Testing can detect HIV early and help you get started on treatment sooner. If you think you have been exposed to HIV, talk to your doctor about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PEP is an HIV medication that works to keep the virus from settling in your body and is taken within three days of potential exposure. Note that PEP is not meant to be taken regularly and should be utilized in emergency situations only. HIV carries an antigen called protein 24, or just "p24." Antigens are foreign substances that enter your body and send a signal to your immune system that there is something wrong. The immune system begins to produce antibodies (proteins that help fight the virus) when your body is exposed to HIV. A healthcare provider can offer you three tests: an antibody test, an antigen/antibody test, or a nucleic acid test (NAT). The p24 antigen shows up in HIV tests faster than the antibodies that your immune system makes to fight the antigen. A healthcare provider may give you more than one test to confirm an HIV diagnosis. Each test has a different window period. A window period is the time between when you get the virus and when an HIV test can accurately detect that you have the virus. HIV tests cannot detect HIV right after you think you may have been exposed to the virus. The earliest an HIV test can detect the presence of the virus is 10 days. Antibody Test An HIV antibody test uses a sample of your blood, saliva, or urine to check for HIV antibodies. Most rapid HIV tests and at-home self-tests are antibody tests. This test can detect HIV antibodies 23–90 days after exposure to the virus. It takes about 30 minutes to get your results from a rapid antibody test. Antigen/Antibody Test An HIV antigen/antibody test looks for the presence of both HIV antigens and antibodies in your immune system. This lab test involves drawing blood from a vein. An antigen/antibody test can see if you have the virus 18–45 days after exposure to HIV. A traditional antigen/antibody lab test result may take several days. Rapid antigen/antibody testing is also available. You can get a blood sample from a finger stick rather than your vein. The window periods and result times between rapid and traditional HIV antigen/antibody tests are different. A rapid test has a longer window period than a traditional test and can detect the virus 18–90 days after HIV exposure. Results from a rapid antigen/antibody come faster than a traditional test. You can get rapid results in less than 30 minutes via a finger stick test. Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) A nucleic acid test (NAT) looks for HIV in the blood. A healthcare provider takes a blood sample from your vein. They will send the sample to a lab for proper testing. NAT results can show whether or not you have HIV and your viral load (how much of the virus is in your blood). NAT has a quicker window period than other types of HIV tests. You can get a NAT test 10–33 days after exposure to the virus. It may take several days to get your lab test results back. One more thing to keep in mind: this type of test is most appropriate for people who may be showing symptoms of acute HIV and have tested negative with antibody or antibody/antigen tests. HIV moves through three stages, which include: Acute HIV stage: The first stage of HIV begins two to four weeks after a person acquires the virus. Most people in the acute stage experience flu-like symptoms. Clinical latency (chronic HIV) stage: The second stage of HIV can begin as soon as one month after exposure to the virus and last between 10–15 years. Some people in this stage don't experience symptoms. The virus also continues to multiply at low levels in the immune system if you are not receiving HIV treatment. AIDS stage: The third and final stage of HIV typically occurs in people who are not receiving treatment. Without treatment, the virus will continue to multiply and weaken the body's immune system. You may experience severe symptoms such as rapid weight loss, pneumonia, and swollen lymph nodes. You are also at an increased risk of developing serious infections and cancers. HIV symptoms and how fast (or slow) you move into a different stage of HIV vary from person to person. Your HIV progression can depend on your individual symptoms, whether or not you are on treatment, and your overall health. HIV is a serious chronic condition that attacks healthy white blood cells (CD4 cells) in your immune system, which can prevent your body's ability to fight off infections. There is no cure for HIV, which is why getting HIV might feel scary. It's OK to be nervous, but it's also important to know that getting an early diagnosis can get you started on treatment sooner. The only way to know your HIV status is to get an HIV test. An HIV test will use a sample of your blood (from a vein or finger stick), saliva, or urine. There are three types of HIV tests: the antibody test, the antigen/antibody test, and the nucleic acid test (NAT). You can receive your results within 30 minutes or up to several days, depending on the type of test you take. Getting an HIV diagnosis can be life-changing and filled with many emotions. Healthcare providers and other care specialists are there to help guide you through a positive HIV test result and the early stages of an HIV diagnosis. A healthcare provider can also help you create a treatment plan that is right for you, which can help you live a long and healthy life with your condition.Thanks for your feedback!
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