HIV HEALTH GUIDE
HIV Rash: What It Can Look Like and What to Do
A rash can occur during early HIV infection, but many common conditions can cause similar skin changes. A rash alone cannot tell you whether you have HIV—the only way to know is to get tested.
What is an HIV rash?
Some people develop a rash during acute HIV infection, often alongside flu-like symptoms. Skin problems in a person living with HIV may also have other causes, including common allergies, infections, another health condition or a reaction to medicine. Appearance varies between people and across skin tones, so diagnosis should be made by a qualified healthcare professional.
Possible signs during acute HIV infection
Acute HIV symptoms may begin about 2–4 weeks after infection. Some people have mild symptoms or none at all. When present, symptoms can include:
Rash or mouth ulcers
Fever, chills, night sweats or fatigue
Muscle aches or swollen lymph nodes
Sore throat, headache or diarrhoea
Important: symptoms are not a diagnosis
These symptoms are nonspecific and can be caused by many illnesses. If you may have been exposed to HIV, take an HIV test rather than relying on the appearance of a rash. No test detects HIV immediately after infection, so ask a healthcare professional when to test or repeat a test if the exposure was recent.
Why a rash may appear
A rash may occur as part of the body’s response during acute HIV infection.
Viral illnesses, allergies and other skin conditions can look similar.
Some medicines, including certain HIV medicines, can cause a rash or hypersensitivity reaction.
When to seek urgent medical care
Get urgent medical help if a rash is severe, rapidly spreading, blistering or peeling, or occurs with trouble breathing, facial swelling, fever, mouth or eye sores, dizziness or feeling very unwell. If a rash begins after starting a new medicine, contact the prescribing healthcare professional promptly. Do not stop prescribed HIV treatment unless a healthcare professional tells you to.
Concerned about a possible exposure?
Testing is the only way to know your HIV status. Learn about HIV symptoms or review the iCare HIV home screening kit.
Learn About Symptoms View HIV Test KitThis page provides general information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or medical advice.
