Early Stage HIV Symptoms like Rash: It’s a Warning!

Early Stage HIV Symptoms like Rash: It’s a Warning!

Noticed your skin breaking out into a rash? Normally, this isn’t a thing to worry about. A visit to the dermatologist will do. However, if you have had unprotected sex recently, then you must be alarmed.

This is one of the earliest signs of HIV infection!

Such rash can be painful, quite itchy, and reddish in people with light skin and purplish in people with dark skin.

People with HIV infection experience rash at some point. It can happen during the acute or early stage or in the later stage.

You must not ignore early stage HIV symptoms like rash. Consult a doctor immediately. If you feel shy talking to your family physician, walk in your nearest STD clinic. It is open all days of the week and requires no prior appointment.

Reason for rash

According to doctors, rash is a sign that your body is fighting off the virus. Our bodies have a natural defense mechanism. Whenever a pathogen invades the body, the body’s immune system starts fighting. This produces the earliest signs and symptoms in the body.

It is important to pay heed to these signs and consult a doctor urgently. The body is signaling you to do something quickly while it fights on its own.

According to medical experts, ignoring symptoms is akin to disrespecting your body.

Other symptoms of HIV

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Muscle pain
• Swollen lymph nodes

The symptoms usually last for a couple of weeks. They are tricky because they are similar to symptoms of cold, flu, allergic reaction, and, in the present situation, the Coronavirus.

This is one of the reasons people do not think of undergoing HIV test. They think they are simply down with flu.

However, a simple test can bring out the truth. In Arlington, HIV screening test is available at the most reasonable rates. Patients can undergo test anonymously.

Do not wait and watch

When experiencing symptoms like rash, you must not wait and watch. It is no harm in undergoing a test and ensuring your sexual health.

If your test results are negative, you can simply relax and visit a dermatologist for the skin problem. Or maybe the rash could be due to some food allergy, medication you are taking, or some other underlying medical cause.

If your test results are positive, your doctor can start you on an appropriate treatment immediately. You will be saved from the horrendous condition called AIDS.

Rash heals itself still doesn’t mean you are safe

The rash goes away on its own. You think you are safe. This was no HIV infection. You are wrong!

The early stage symptoms of many sexually transmitted infections go away on their own. You won’t see any symptom for a long time. The pathogen becomes dormant.

Then, the pathogen becomes active again. It could be after several months or even years. In case of HIV, the virus can stay dormant for 10-20 years!

In the meantime, the virus inside your body weakens your immune system. You become prone to opportunistic infections. And then starts the downfall of your overall health. This is what doctors call AIDS, the last stage. Don’t let the virus take you to the last stage. Pay attention to early stage HIV symptom like rash now.