RASH

Rick Sowadsky, MSPH
Senior Communicable Disease Specialist
Nevada State Health Division

Question:

Does the rash associated with HIV look lke skin bloches and is it itchy?

Mr. Sowadsky's Response:

Hi. Thank you for your question.

There is no such thing as an "HIV/AIDS rash" per se. Rashes in persons with HIV can be due to numerous causes. When a rash is seen in persons with recent HIV infection, it is primarily found in the upper portion of the body.

The rash may or may not itch, and it can be raised. Not everyone with recent HIV infection will develop a rash. If a rash is seen at all, it resembles rashes seen from many other skin conditions. The severity and appearance of rashes (if they appear at all) can vary significantly from person to person. In addition, persons with full blown AIDS may have various skin problems from various causes anywhere on the body. Because rashes seen in persons with HIV/AIDS looks exactly like rashes due to other skin conditions, nobody can tell you whether a persons rash is related to HIV/AIDS or not, based on symptoms alone. Only HIV testing can determine if a persons symptoms may be HIV related or not.

For more information about the symptoms of AIDS, please see the question, "Symptomatic Stage".

If you have any further questions, call 1-800-342-AIDS.