HIV Rashes and Symptoms
[ Back to News Page ] Dated: 21-Jun-2025How to identify HIV rash?
Rash is a common symptom of HIV infection. It often appears as an early symptom within two to three weeks after contracting the virus. However, rashes can also be caused by other, less dangerous factors, such as allergic reactions or skin issues. If you have concerns, you should consult your doctor and get tested for HIV. This will ensure you receive the correct treatment for your condition.
Recognizing the Symptoms of an HIV Rash
Check if the rash is red, slightly raised, and itchy. HIV rashes typically cause spots and blotches on the skin. On light-skinned individuals, these appear red, while on dark-skinned individuals, they may appear dark purple.
- The severity of the rash can vary from person to person. Some people may experience extensive and severe rashes, while others might only have mild ones.
- If the rash is a result of antiviral medication, it will present as raised red lesions covering your entire body. These rashes are known as 'drug eruptions.
Pay attention if the rash appears on your shoulders, chest, face, upper body, and arms.
These are typically areas where the HIV virus manifests on your body. However, rashes often resolve on their own within a few weeks. Some people mistakenly attribute them to allergic reactions or eczema. HIV rashes are not contagious, so there is no risk of transmitting HIV through the rash.
When you have an HIV rash, be aware of other symptoms that may also appear.
These include:
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Nausea and vomiting
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Mouth sores
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Fever
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Diarrhea
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Muscle pain
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Cramps and body aches
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Swollen glands
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Blurred or impaired vision
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Loss of appetite
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Joint pain
Getting Medical Care
If you have a mild rash, get an HIV test. If you haven’t been tested for HIV yet, your doctor should conduct a blood test to check if you are infected with the virus. If the result is negative, your doctor will determine whether your rash is caused by an allergy to food or other factors. You might also have skin issues such as eczema.
If you test positive for HIV, your doctor may prescribe antiretroviral medications and treatment.
If you are already on antiretroviral medications and the rash is mild, your doctor will likely advise you to continue taking the medication, as the rash should resolve within one to two weeks.
To reduce the rash, especially itching, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines such as diphenhydramine or cetirizine, or corticosteroid creams.
If the rash is severe, seek medical attention immediately. Severe rashes may also be accompanied by other symptoms of the virus, such as fever, nausea or vomiting, muscle pain, and mouth sores. If you have not been tested for HIV yet, your doctor should conduct a blood test to check for HIV infection. Based on your test results, the doctor will prescribe antiretroviral medications and treatment.
Do not take any medications that could cause an allergic reaction. If your doctor advises you to stop taking a medication due to an allergy or allergic reaction, do not resume taking it. Taking it again could trigger a more severe reaction, potentially worsening your condition.
For HIV testing, you can use an HIV blood test kit.
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HIV has its effect all over the body including the human skin which is the most obvious HIV symptom. There, it takes the form of red pigmentation or continual growth of pimples. Patches similar to tropical fungal skin infections or eczema can also grow because of HIV infection. It has been studied that 90% of the people who have contracted HIV, haveexperienced some type of skin infections. Still the best way to determine if a person is infected by HIV virus or not is by carry out a HIV Test using a HIV Kit / HIV Test Kit.
However, doctors say, that HIV rashes are not a subject of concern because they are not contagious. These rashes do not rupture like chicken pox. These rashes cannot be apparently seen, as they usually grow in the shoulder and chest area. More over, proper medication can easily treat HIV rashes. Most of the time, other types of pre existing rashes, accompany HIV rashes.
HIV rashes occur due to two reasons
- When one have contracted HIV virus
- When one consumes medications that are used to treat HIV virus.
However, not every unusual rash means the presence of HIV. Rashes can also occur in HIV positive people due to drug eruption, Kaposi Sarcoma lesion and Herpes infection. Nevertheless, it is alwayswise to consult the dermatologist. Though people belonging to the high-risk groups like, homosexuals, IDUs, people with multiple sex partners should always visit a doctor whenever they encounter any symptoms of unusual rash on any part of their skin.
The salient features of HIV rash are:
- They are slightly protruded, dark brown, small, and quite similar to maculopapular rashes.
- They mostly grow in the human trunk, shoulder and occasionally on our limbs.
- Fever, diarrhea, headaches, muscle pain, enlarged limb nodes and white patches in the mouth may accompany HIV rashes.
- It lasts for hardly 2 weeks and never appears during the dormant phase of the disease.
- It may or may not have itching sensations.
- Acute HIV rashes can lead to peeling of the upper layer of the skin, coupled with sores and blisters.
When does HIV rash grow?
Rashes are the symptoms of the primary stages of the HIV infection. The infection grow during the period of sero-conversion, when the antibodies may develop which is about two or three weeks after the contraction of HIV. If HIV test is done during the existence of HIV rashes, then there is more possibility for the diagnostic test to be more precise. The tinges of the virus and presence of HIV antibodies can be easily located in this stage. Therefore, this is the best time for the highly risked groups to go for the test, in order to get a more accurate result.
HIV Symptoms

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Acute HIV Infection
When Does Acute HIV Rash Appear?
- As mentioned, acute HIV rash occurs during the acute or primary infection stage, when the human immunodeficiency virus rapidly replicates after entering the body. This stage is also known as "seroconversion syndrome," during which the immune system begins to produce antibodies against the infection.
- At this stage, the number of HIV cells in the blood increases rapidly, while the number of CD4+ T helper cells significantly decreases. CD4+ T helper cells are white blood cells that help fight infectious pathogens. The human immunodeficiency virus attaches to CD4+ cells, injects its RNA into the cells, and then uses the host CD4+ cell's replication mechanisms to replicate. However, the immune system soon responds by producing more CD4+ cells and antibodies against the virus. Acute HIV rash typically appears during this stage.
- Some individuals who do not have any symptoms early in the infection may develop a rash later, especially during the third stage of infection. This HIV rash is often caused by dermatitis. Sometimes, reactions to HIV medications can also cause rashes. Diseases like herpes simplex, shingles, and molluscum contagiosum can also cause rashes in individuals with HIV. If an HIV-positive person has herpes, they might develop red, fluid-filled blisters or rashes. Using certain medications (like co-trimoxazole) can also lead to skin lesions that closely resemble acute HIV rash.
What Does It Look Like?
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Acute HIV rash is typically described as maculopapular. Usually, the rash appears as flat, small red bumps with a rough texture. While it can occur anywhere on the body, it is more commonly found on the face, neck, shoulders, chest, and palms. Occasionally, it may also appear on the feet, genital area, and anus.
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Rashes caused by acute HIV infection are usually red or brown. Specifically, rashes on lighter skin appear red, while those on darker skin may appear deep purple or dark brown. The rash can resemble eczema and usually lasts about 2 weeks.
Associated Symptoms
Is HIV Rash Itchy?
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HIV rash may be painful and sometimes itchy. The rash often appears in clusters and is typically accompanied by other early symptoms of HIV infection, including:
- Fever and headache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Mouth ulcers
- Oral thrush
- Unexplained weight loss
Treatment and Management of Rash
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Acute HIV rash and its associated discomfort can be somewhat controlled with over-the-counter medications such as diphenhydramine. Hydrocortisone can also help reduce the rash and alleviate itching (if present). However, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before taking any medications, especially antihistamines.
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To prevent the rash from worsening, avoid hot showers or baths and do not use soaps with chemicals or fragrances. Avoid wearing tight clothing. Instead, opt for soft, lightweight cotton garments. Use high-quality moisturizers to soothe the skin and minimize sun exposure, as heat and sunlight can exacerbate the rash.
Chronic HIV Infection
What Are the Symptoms of Chronic HIV Infection?
- The first possible symptoms of HIV infection may develop within 2-4 weeks after exposure to the virus. You might notice flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, and rash, or you could have no symptoms at all.
- In the initial stage of HIV/AIDS (acute HIV infection), the virus reproduces rapidly and spreads throughout your body. This makes it especially easy to transmit the virus to others through sexual contact. The virus begins to destroy infection-fighting cells in your immune system called CD4 T cells, or sometimes simply “T cells.”
- Once you reach the second stage of HIV/AIDS—chronic HIV infection—the virus reproduces at a much slower pace. Even without treatment, many people in this stage do not experience any HIV-related symptoms for 10 years or more. This is why some doctors also refer to it as “asymptomatic HIV infection” or “clinical latency.”
However, in some cases, you might experience mild infections with symptoms such as:
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Tiredness
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Pneumonia
- Shingles (herpes zoster)
- Weight loss
- Oral yeast infection (thrush)
- Whether you have symptoms or not, without treatment, HIV continues to progressively damage your immune system. Your HIV levels gradually increase, and your CD4 levels gradually decrease until the illness advances to the most serious stage: AIDS.
- Treatment during these early stages can have significant health benefits, especially with an approach known as antiretroviral therapy (ART).
What Happens if You Don’t Treat Chronic HIV Infection?
- If chronic HIV infection is not treated, it is likely to progress to the third and final stage, AIDS. This usually occurs after 10 or more years of chronic HIV infection, though it can sometimes happen sooner.
- At this point, serious damage to your immune system makes it harder for your body to fight off certain infections and cancers. These “opportunistic” infections and cancers often occur in individuals with a weakened immune response.
- This is very serious. People with AIDS who do not receive treatment typically survive about 3 years. Additionally, with AIDS, you are more likely to have a high viral load that spreads more easily to sexual partners.
What Happens if You Do Treat Chronic HIV Infection?
- It is important to remember that there is no cure for HIV/AIDS. Once you have the virus, you will need treatment to manage its effects. However, treatment for chronic HIV infection is very effective, especially when started early.
- Treatment involves antiretroviral therapy (ART), which is a combination of medications that help prevent HIV from replicating. This allows your body to increase the levels of CD4 cells that help fight off opportunistic infections.
- When properly followed, ART can reduce your HIV viral load to such low levels that it cannot be detected by current blood tests. This not only improves your health but also reduces the likelihood of transmitting the virus to a sexual partner. Someone with an undetectable viral load has almost no chance of passing the virus to a partner.
- Achieving and maintaining an undetectable viral load is the goal of ART. With effective management, you and your doctors may be able to keep AIDS at bay for decades, effectively keeping you in the second stage of HIV/AIDS (chronic HIV infection) almost indefinitely.
- In fact, most people with HIV in the U.S. who receive ART treatment will never develop AIDS.
How Do You Know if Chronic HIV Has Progressed to AIDS?
- Your doctor can determine this by performing a blood test to measure your CD4 immune cells. A count of less than 200 cells/mm³ indicates that you have AIDS. Certain opportunistic infections may also be enough to diagnose this third stage of the illness.
- Only your doctor can accurately determine your stage of HIV infection. Therefore, it is important to have regular checkups with your medical team to monitor your health and treatment.
- Regular checkups ensure that you receive the appropriate treatment at the right time and that you do not put your sexual partners at risk.
How Does Chronic HIV Infection Affect Other Conditions?
- As more people with HIV live into old age, doctors have observed that chronic HIV infection might increase the risk of other conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and peripheral neuropathy.
- The increases are not generally significant, and scientists are still investigating why these issues occur. Ongoing research continues to provide insights into these concerns.
Advanced HIV Infection (AIDS)
- Severe Symptoms: In the later stages, symptoms can include significant weight loss, prolonged diarrhea, and persistent cough.
- Opportunistic Infections: Individuals may develop severe infections and illnesses such as Kaposi's sarcoma and pneumocystis pneumonia.
HIV Bumps
HIV bumps refer to various types of skin lesions that can appear at different stages of HIV infection. These bumps may vary in size, shape, and color, and can be either flat or raised. Common types include maculopapular rashes, which are small, flat or raised red or pink bumps often seen in the acute stage of HIV; Kaposi’s sarcoma, which manifests as purple or reddish bumps and is associated with advanced AIDS; and folliculitis, characterized by inflamed hair follicles that can resemble acne.
The symptoms of HIV bumps can range from itchiness and discomfort to pain and tenderness, depending on the type and severity. The appearance of these bumps is often due to the immune system being compromised by HIV, leading to a heightened susceptibility to infections and skin conditions.
Management of HIV bumps involves various treatments depending on their type. Topical treatments such as creams or ointments may alleviate symptoms, while more serious conditions like Kaposi’s sarcoma might require specialized medical treatments including antiretroviral therapy (ART) and targeted therapies. It is essential to consult with a healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
If you notice unusual bumps on your skin and are concerned about HIV or its effects, seeking medical advice is crucial for proper diagnosis and management.
Relief from HIV rashes
- Stay away from direct sunlight or extreme heat
- Similarly, even extreme cold should be avoided.
- One should not stop, start or pause the intake of rash treatment medication, without the consent of the doctor
- Over the counter medications like Benadryl, Hydrocortisone cream may be used to curb the itching tendencies.
- Unprotected sex can lead to contagious rashes. Therefore people belonging to the high risk groups, should indulge in safe sex.
For more detailed information on HIV symptoms and stages, visit our detailed guide or consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.