I was diagnosed in September and began drug therapy 9 days ago, taking Sustiva and Truvada. Two nights ago I started developing an itchy rash, and by yesterday it was covering my entire body. By phone, my doctor suggested taking Benadryl and Claritin. The itching seems to be considerably less now, but I am completely covered in raised red blotches, so thick on my torso that it looks like one solid sunburn. It's unsightly and extremely uncomfortable. My face doesn't seem to have the raised blotches, but it is flushed and red. How long should I expect this rash to remain like this? Should it begin to clear up in another day or two? I don't want to stop the medication and risk developing resistance. But I can't go to work or be seen like this.

Most likely you are experiencing a rash with efavirenz the most likely drug (unless you are also taking other medications like a sulfa antibiotic). The rashes can be very impressive. Usually patients can continue the efavirenz based regimen with symptomatic management (like you are doing). If there is fever, blistering of lips/mouth, eye involvement, or other systemic signs/symptoms then careful medical evaluation and cessation of medications if often considered. Serious and/or highly bothersome rashes often warrant nurse/MD evaluation. As you point out simply stopping all medications an trigger development of resistance so careful management is important. KH