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Suggest Ways To Identify An HIV Rash

Posted on Tue, 27 Oct 2015

Question: Hello, I had unprotected sex with a prostitute 10 days ago, and have developed this rash. It appears to be the HIV rash, what do you think?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Viral exanthema

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

It looks like you are having viral ( any virus need not be HIV) exanthema and need not be related to the unprotected sex. However I must add here that HIV also presents the same way during the first 2 weeks followed by recovery, the only way to tell is to get tested for HIV 1 and 2 after 12 weeks of exposure.

First 12 weeks is known as the window period where HIV virus will not be detectable in the blood.

I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (5 minutes later)

Thank you. Could this also be Poison Ivy? I went hiking a few days ago, and wondering if that's a possibility.

Also, I took an HIV 1/2 Antibody Rapid Test today (prick of finger and tested blood) and it came back negative. I know I haven't reached the window for testing, but if I'm having symptoms would this likely come back positive if it was HIV.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Not poison ivy

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for getting back. These rashes are not secondary to poison ivy, they are typically very itchy and tend to form blisters and vesicles.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D