Rashes. Are they the symptoms of HIV?

Studies show that 90% of the people who have contracted HIV may show some type of skin infection.

HIV has its effect all over the body including the human skin which is the bodies most sensitive organ. It often takes the form of red pigmentation or continual pimples. Small patches similar to tropical fungal skin infections or eczema also grow because of HIV infection. But these same rashes can also be caused by other infections and can be in no way related to HIV.

If the rash is caused by HIV, doctors say that the 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 often grow in the shoulder and chest area. Additionally correct treatment can also resolve these HIV rashes.

HIV rashes occur due to two reasons

·             When one have contracted HIV virus, ie as a symptom of the HIV virus and its effect on the immune system.

·             When one consumes medications that are used to treat HIV virus.Ie as a reaction to the HIV treatments which can be extremely hard on the human body.

Of course, 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. By testing early for HIV, you carry a much higher chance of surviving the illness.

The features of HIV rash 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.

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 practice safe sex.

If you have developed a rash and recently practices unprotected sexual intercourse then you should seek medical advise and take an HIV test as soon as possible.

Is HIV common in Australia?

Despite having excellent medical facilities and specialist HIV Centers the reality is that HIV is still steadily increasing in Australia.  One contributing factor to this could be the HIV infection rate amongst sex workers in a holiday destinations frequented by Australians.  One sex worker in Bali says “When she goes back to their hotel, many refuse to use a condom. And she never tells them she is HIV positive. It's bad for business.”

She is 27 and pretty and of course the men that she refers to are at considerable risk from HIV infection.  It is a further concern to think that these men return to Australia with the HIV virus and carry on with their sexual behaviour without knowing their HIV status.  Many will not be tested for HIV and Australia as they find a visiting a medical centre and discussing their sexual practices were staff to be inconvenient and embarrassing.  One option that may help in this situation is the use of self testing for HIV using HIV home testing kits.  However has the virus can take several months in some cases to be detectable distal places the Australian public at greater risk from these individuals.  Many individuals in the steady relationships will be unable to explain why they must use protection during sex by the regular partner and regrettably some will then go on to an effect that a partner.

Ideally of course these individuals would not participate in unprotected sex with sex workers or with any partner with him unknown HIV status.  However the reality is that they do and has a result to best protect the Australian public it is clear that we need a variety of testing methods that are convenient and accessible to all individuals and as the at specific needs.

New diagnoses of HIV in Australia have risen 50% over the past 10 years! What’s really going on with HIV testing in Australia?

It would appear that the overall trend within the community is towards a the lack of HIV testing despite the publication of HIV data that indicates it is as important to undergo an HIV test now as it has ever been if.  As with all news cycles, HIV news waxes and wanes regardless of the underlying reality.  This can cause the perception with the Australian public that when HIV is not in the news on a regular basis that somehow the risk is reduced.  This is of particular its concern considering that the reality is a significant rise in HIV detection in the Australian population. Three annual reports on HIV and sexually transmitted infections in Australia released in October 2012 show a rise in HIV diagnoses. The reports were released at the Australasian HIV/AIDS Conference 2012 in Melbourne.The reports show that new diagnoses of HIV in Australia have risen 50% over the past 10 years.  Certain groups are at a higher risk of infection than others.  Particularly concerning is the rate of infection within the homosexual community.  One reason for this increase in HIV infection could be that unprotected anal intercourse with casual partners among gay men has also increased over the past decade. In 2011, 34.6% of Australian men who had sex with a casual partner reported having unprotected anal intercourse in the past six months.Another group at risk from HIV infection are men frequenting prostitutes and in particular those who practice unprotected sex. 

So of bearing in mind that these infections are normally the result of unprotected sex with a partner that in knows they have previously been a risk of contracting HIV, the question becomes why are they not taking an HIV test.

With this information available to the Australian public it is apparent that through whatever means possible the Australian public should be encouraged to carry out HIV testing.

Why aren’t they testing for HIV?

If only the world was prefect, and everyone tested for HIV when they should.  Regrettably it is not, they don’t.

We operate HeadStartTesting, an online supplier of HIV Self-Test Kits for the Australian public. We are often challenged as to the quality of testing for HIV at home versus testing at a medical clinic that can also offer counselling. After 2 years of providing this service, our response is still the same.

Regrettably many individuals who know they have been at risk, delay or decide not to test through a medical centre. Some still continue normal sexual activity and as a result they are the category most likely to infect others. It is a safe assumption to say that most infected with HIV were infected by a partner who did not know they themselves had HIV.  Of course they most likely knew they had been at risk, but decided not to test (and thus infected others). We often receive communication from a client stating their high level of anxiety and concern over their status. Some can’t sleep they are so worried about their HIV status or the HIV status of a recent partner, yet they choose not to consult their doctor.

Why?

As logically anyone who thinks they have contracted a life threatening disease would seek medical assistance, there must be some other factor driving these individuals to not test for HIV.
Our conclusion is that HIV is still seen as a socially embarrassing topic and when the possible contamination method is sexual contact it is more embarrassing or sensitive still. This is a concern as early detection of HIV can greatly increase survival rates. If HIV testing seems so logical and beneficial, why are many not doing it?
Many feel too embarrassed to explain their behaviours to another? Denial, what are the chances, it can’t happen to me? I’ll do it next week. I can’t explain this to my partner so I’ll just hope it’s nothing.  I feel fine, I don’t have any HIV symptoms. I think I have HIV Symptoms but can’t face my doctor.

HIV home test kits, target those individuals who decided not to test, and offer them an alternate to the testing methods they chose not to use.

But…If one of those individuals (the one who decided not to test with his doctor) does test and is HIV positive we have the following scenario. They face the immediate result without counselling at their side. This is clearly difficult for some individuals. However, it is hard to argue it is a worse scenario than if they had just carried on normal activities and infected others.  After all we are talking about an HIV positive person who was putting off testing and had so far decided it did not warrant consulting a medical professional. The objective is simple, get their status known and stop their risk of contaminating others through any reasonable means possible.

Now we have identified the need for HIV testing at home. Can it be done accurately? Are the HIV self-test kits accurate? Yes, they detect both the HIV 1 and 2 sub-virus, have a +99% accuracy and are manufactured under ISO, GMP standards. They are simple to use and give results in 5 minutes. If used incorrectly they will show a failed test result and not a false negative or positive.

If in doubt about your HIV status or you are concerned you have HIV symptoms then please test. Testing as soon as possible for HIV will remove any doubts/anxiety and more importantly ensure your health and the health of others is best protected. Head Start Testing can supply you with HIV Home Test Kits if self-testing is your preference.

Should HIV home test kits be used in Australia?

There is some controversy surrounding the recent availability of HIV self test kits in Australia.  It is a somewhat complicated argument that most certainly both sides of the have some merit.  Those against self testing for HIV in Australia are concerned that individuals testing of their HIV status without medical supervision of doing so without access to counseling to prepare them and assist them in the event of an HIV positive result.  They also foregoing counseling that may assist him in avoiding the necessity for testing by discussing the behavior that put them at risk of HIV infection and helping them understand how to avoid the risk.  These are certainly valuable points however the logic of that would then prevent many individuals from testing if test kits were not available could potentially have a negative effect in the overall percentage of the population the test for HIV after at risk behavior.   

It is logical to assume that most people in Australia infected with HIV as a result of sexual interactions were infected by a person who had not been tested for HIV.  It is also logical to assume that the conflicting individual was aware that they had had at risk sexual behavior yet for some reason they had not tested for HIV.  Given that everyone in Australia has access to a general practitioner and more and HIV testing clinic is also logical to assume that the potential reasons for that individual mark testing are those of convenience and  or privacy.  By giving those individuals and alternative testing method for HIV potentially HIV home tests kits will increase the percentage of at risk individuals testing for HIV.

No single HIV testing method will suit all members of the public.  The objective must certainly be to test as many individuals as possible through which ever HIV testing method they choose to use in Australia.  Only by testing those individuals who are not using traditional HIV testing methods the only hope to reduce the number of HIV positive individuals that have an unknown status carrying on at-risk sexual behavior.