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Can HIV Be Contracted Through Sexual Intercourse?
Question: For hiv specialist only:
Hi there I have a rash under my arm it started 6 weeks after unprotected sex, i have had the rash or almost two weeks and the appearance of it changes, sometimes you can hardly see it appears to minor discolouring other times after a shower you can see small red bumps I wonder if it is hiv related, I asked the question earlier and was told it was probably unrelated, but I wanted to ask a hiv specialist, know the only way to know for sure is to get tested I was waiting for 3 month window, but I am going to get tested tomorrow, I am very stressed. Can the rash appear this long after possible initial infection? Can you get false positives? i an case i will get tested again after the 3 month window is up. thank you
Hi there I have a rash under my arm it started 6 weeks after unprotected sex, i have had the rash or almost two weeks and the appearance of it changes, sometimes you can hardly see it appears to minor discolouring other times after a shower you can see small red bumps I wonder if it is hiv related, I asked the question earlier and was told it was probably unrelated, but I wanted to ask a hiv specialist, know the only way to know for sure is to get tested I was waiting for 3 month window, but I am going to get tested tomorrow, I am very stressed. Can the rash appear this long after possible initial infection? Can you get false positives? i an case i will get tested again after the 3 month window is up. thank you
Brief Answer:
With rashes alone we can not fix HIV diagnosis.Test can rule out or confirm
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
Rashes in HIV has no specific characters to indicate HIV infection. Earliest manifestaions of HIV can occur around 4-6 weeks with acute infection or Primary HIV infection, only in 50-70% of the individuals with HIV infection and not with all. The symptoms include rashes like any other viral fever (reddish and macular or pappular) and usually associated with fever, body pain lymph node enlagement etc. and not rashes alone.
There are tests available to derect HIV as early as 1 week and these tests considered as conclusive by 3-4 weeks. Tests for HIV 1 is available widely whereas test to rule out HIV 2 infection on demand (PCR, P24 Antigen test). Otherwise all labs will have tests (ELISA and Rapid) to rule out HIV 1 and 2 which can be considered as conclusive by 12 weeks after the risk contact (window period).
Dr S.Murugan
With rashes alone we can not fix HIV diagnosis.Test can rule out or confirm
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
Rashes in HIV has no specific characters to indicate HIV infection. Earliest manifestaions of HIV can occur around 4-6 weeks with acute infection or Primary HIV infection, only in 50-70% of the individuals with HIV infection and not with all. The symptoms include rashes like any other viral fever (reddish and macular or pappular) and usually associated with fever, body pain lymph node enlagement etc. and not rashes alone.
There are tests available to derect HIV as early as 1 week and these tests considered as conclusive by 3-4 weeks. Tests for HIV 1 is available widely whereas test to rule out HIV 2 infection on demand (PCR, P24 Antigen test). Otherwise all labs will have tests (ELISA and Rapid) to rule out HIV 1 and 2 which can be considered as conclusive by 12 weeks after the risk contact (window period).
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi there, Thank you for the response, I went for a blood test and the bruising seem severe. I know that I have to wait for the results but I did go to my periodontist recently and all looked good in my mouth 6 weeks after possible infection. Just wondering if acute HIV infection might manifest itself in my mouth in some way at this point in time. Just curious as I know the only way to tell for sure is to wait for the results of the test.
Brief Answer:
Isolated rash under arm is unlikely be due to HIV.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
HIV acute infection is unusual to manifest with isolated skin rashes alone. Usually associates with fever, rhinitis and throat infection. Especially rash under arm (not a generalized one or distributed in a distinct pattern) is not common with HIV infection. Possibility of allergic rash (urticaria) has to be thought of.
HIV Blood test will confirm or rule out HIV infection.
Dr S.Murugan
Isolated rash under arm is unlikely be due to HIV.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
HIV acute infection is unusual to manifest with isolated skin rashes alone. Usually associates with fever, rhinitis and throat infection. Especially rash under arm (not a generalized one or distributed in a distinct pattern) is not common with HIV infection. Possibility of allergic rash (urticaria) has to be thought of.
HIV Blood test will confirm or rule out HIV infection.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for the response, my curiosity has to do with whether or not my gums would show signs of acute HIV infection as I was recently at periodontist and my gum condition looked ok, six weeks after possible infection. I regularly go to periodontist as I have periodontisis, which is also my concern for possibly being infected via this conduit to my blood stream. My gums have not been bleeding as I am on a regular maintenance program.
Brief Answer:
Gum manifestation is not common in acute HIV infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Nobody can suspect HIV by gum lesion alone. Gum manifestation is unusual in early acte infection of HIV disease.
Dr S.Murugan
Gum manifestation is not common in acute HIV infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Nobody can suspect HIV by gum lesion alone. Gum manifestation is unusual in early acte infection of HIV disease.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks again, is perodiodontisis (pockets) a path to the blood stream?
Brief Answer:
Chances of HIV transmission is more in the presence of a gum disease
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Gum disease can accelerate the HIV transmission with oral sex or kissing to an extent.
Dr S.Murugan
Chances of HIV transmission is more in the presence of a gum disease
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Gum disease can accelerate the HIV transmission with oral sex or kissing to an extent.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks again, I will wait for test results, I do have a certain amount of anxiety, but even in the worst case, there can be worse things that a person could be diagnosed with... thank you for your time
Brief Answer:
Not to be anxious. Receive like any other result.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome once again.
There is nothing to get anxious. It is just like any other laboratory result. Anything is manageable. Nothing to worry.
Dr S.Murugan
Not to be anxious. Receive like any other result.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome once again.
There is nothing to get anxious. It is just like any other laboratory result. Anything is manageable. Nothing to worry.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello,
What do you mean by a generalized rash, I assume this to mean a rash that covers a large part of the body and what do you mean when you say a distinct pattern, Please clarify. The rash is actually located just blow my armpit on my side. Sorry to be a pain, just thought I would seek further clarification.
Thanks again,
What do you mean by a generalized rash, I assume this to mean a rash that covers a large part of the body and what do you mean when you say a distinct pattern, Please clarify. The rash is actually located just blow my armpit on my side. Sorry to be a pain, just thought I would seek further clarification.
Thanks again,
Brief Answer:
Generalized distribution means most part of the body involved
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
You are almost right. Generalised rash means it involves almost all over the body (Syphilis, urticaria, pox, viral exantheme etc.)
Particular pattern means some rashe wolul be found with specific distribution like
1. Extensor distribution- common with Psoriasis
2. Exposed area --- Photo sensitive rashes (light)
3. Insect bite or mosquito allergy---Forearm and legs
4. Intertrigo--- over flexures
5. single Dermatom pattern---Herpes Zoster
6. In and around mouth --Herpes simplex
Similar to these there are many other distributions are also there.
Dr S.Murugan
Generalized distribution means most part of the body involved
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
You are almost right. Generalised rash means it involves almost all over the body (Syphilis, urticaria, pox, viral exantheme etc.)
Particular pattern means some rashe wolul be found with specific distribution like
1. Extensor distribution- common with Psoriasis
2. Exposed area --- Photo sensitive rashes (light)
3. Insect bite or mosquito allergy---Forearm and legs
4. Intertrigo--- over flexures
5. single Dermatom pattern---Herpes Zoster
6. In and around mouth --Herpes simplex
Similar to these there are many other distributions are also there.
Dr S.Murugan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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