Anonymous

3 years

HIV Symptoms and other relations

Hello, i’m a 23 year female student studying in the UK and i’ve been very worried whether or not i’ve contracted HIV. Just to give a small background, i’ve had unprotected sex on Feb 2019 and ever since that ‘hook-up’ i’ve never experienced any symptoms related to HIV whatsoever. Around March 2019, i bought a rapid HIV testing kit and got myself tested, results were negative. So i thought okay i guess i was safe, but it still lingered on my mind on how the best time to test for HIV is after the window period when the virus as replicate and right before it moves into the latent period. However, around Oct 2019 i developed this dry area under my eye, which at first i thought it was ringworm, but turns out it was eczema/atopic dermatitis. Slowly then i’ve been developing a lot of ‘eczema spots’, they’re not rashes unlike the typical HIV symptoms i’ve seen on google but it’s quite scaring knowing that i’ve never had eczema in my entire life and i suddenly have it. The eczema i have occurs like any other eczema patient i suppose, with the itch-scratch-bleed cycle, and of course scars will form. I have all these scars all over my body, my legs, underarms, back especially and well my butt. Basically my main concern is, why am i having a random eczema attack? I’ve read on google and a few scientific papers that eczema/atopic dermatitis is a COMMON symptom and i’m very worried. However, i got the courage to go see my GP in the UK and did a blood test and results came out negative. But i am still very worried because of this eczema. I am 99% sure i’m not allergic to any foods or detergents because i’ve been using the same products and i eat pretty healthy foods so i really doubt i’m allergic to anything at all. Could someone please explain to me the relationship between eczema and HIV, because from what i understand, eczema usually occurs when you have an overactive immune system, whereas HIV is a virus that weakens your immune system, so i can’t seem to put these two together. Would really appreciate if any doctor could help me with my query, thank you.

Dr Ramzdhan,

3 years

Greetings!

Thank you for your questions. The following answers regarding your current queries are just general descriptions due to the limited information provided by you. Click on this link (DoctorOnCall) for a private consultation with our doctors.

First and foremost, we truly understand your concerns regarding your symptoms and other health problems you might be facing. For your information, the HIV test that you took suggest that you are free from HIV infection. So, there is no relationship between the eczema that you had with HIV because you are tested negative. There are certain substances or conditions that can trigger or worsen you eczema like:

  • Irritants such as soaps and detergents
  • Wool
  • Skin infections
  • Dry skin
  • Low humidity
  • Heat
  • Sweating
  • Emotional stress
  • Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, moulds or foods

In order for us to provide you with an accurate choice of treatment and management, we need additional details to explore further into your current complaints. Therefore, we greatly suggest that you refer this to your nearest medical doctor. You may also click on this link (DoctorOnCall) to speak with our doctors online. We assure you that our conversations are kept in confidentiality unless additional consultation needed with other medical parties. Thank you.
eczema-ekzema-kulit

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