What does a hiv infection rash look like? Skin rashes in HIV infection: features, description and treatment. Diagnosis of an unpleasant pathology

You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

Skin rash often occurs with HIV infections. In most cases, the rash is an early sign of HIV and occurs within two to three weeks of exposure to the virus. A skin rash can also be a symptom of other, less dangerous pathogens, such as an allergic reaction or skin problems. If in doubt, go to the doctor and get tested for HIV. This way you will receive the appropriate treatment for your problem.

Steps

Part 1

Recognizing the symptoms of an HIV rash

Examine the skin for a red, slightly raised, and very itchy rash. The HIV rash often leads to the appearance of various pimples and blemishes on the skin. In people with fair skin the rash has a red color, and on a dark one it is dark purple.

Look for a rash on the shoulders, chest, face, torso, or arms. It is on these parts of the body that it appears most often. However, it happens that in a few weeks the rash goes away on its own. Some confuse it with an allergic reaction or eczema.

Pay attention to other symptoms that may occur along with the rash. These symptoms include:

Nausea and vomiting
mouth ulcers
Diarrhea
Muscle pain
Spasms and pains all over the body
Enlarged lymph nodes
Blurred or hazy vision
Loss of appetite
Joint pain

Beware of factors that cause a rash. This rash occurs due to a decrease in the number of white blood cells (WBCs) or white blood cells in the body. An HIV rash can occur at any stage of infection, but usually appears two to three weeks after exposure to the virus. This is the seroconversion stage and during this period the infection can be detected in a blood test. Some patients do not go through this stage at all, so the rash occurs in the later stages of infection.

Part 2

Getting Medical Care

Get tested for HIV if you have a mild rash. If you have not yet been tested for HIV, then your doctor will take a blood test and check if you have the virus. If the result is negative, the doctor will check to see if the rash was caused by an allergic reaction to the food or something else. You may also experience skin problems such as eczema.

Seek immediate medical attention if your body develops a severe rash. A severe rash may be accompanied by other symptoms of infection, such as fever, nausea or vomiting, muscle pain, and mouth ulcers. If you have not yet been tested for HIV, your doctor will take a blood test from you. Depending on the results of the test, the doctor will prescribe anti-HIV drugs and appropriate treatment for you.

Call your doctor if symptoms get worse, especially if they get worse after taking medication. You may develop a sensitivity to certain drugs that will make your HIV symptoms worse. Your doctor will advise you to stop taking your medication and prescribe a more appropriate treatment. Hypersensitivity symptoms usually resolve within 24-48 hours. There are three main classes of anti-HIV drugs that can cause a rash:

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)
Protease inhibitors
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, such as nevirapine (Viramun), are the most common cause of drug-induced skin rashes. Abacavir (Ziagen) is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor that can also cause skin rashes. Rash is also caused by protease inhibitors such as amprenavir (Agenerase) and tipranavir (Aptivus).

Do not take medicines that cause an allergic reaction. If your doctor tells you to stop taking a medicine because it is causing a hypersensitivity or allergic reaction, do so. Repeated use of this medicine may cause an even more severe reaction, which may develop and worsen your condition even more.

Ask your doctor about bacterial infections that may be causing the rash. Due to a malfunctioning immune system, HIV patients have an increased incidence of bacterial infections. Staphylococcus aureus most commonly seen in HIV-infected individuals and can lead to superficial pyoderma, inflammation and suppuration of hair follicles, cellulitis, and ulcers. If you have HIV, ask your doctor to test you for Staphylococcus aureus.

Part 3

Rash treatment at home

Apply a medical cream to the rash. To relieve itching and other discomfort, the doctor will prescribe an anti-allergic ointment or medicine for you. These symptoms can also be managed with an over-the-counter antihistamine cream. Apply the cream as directed.

Avoid direct sunlight or extreme cold. It is these two factors that provoke the appearance of a rash and can worsen it.

If you're going out, cover your entire body with sunscreen or wear long sleeves and trousers to protect your skin.
Wear a coat and warm clothes when you go out to protect your skin from the extreme cold.

Take cool showers and baths. Hot water cause more inflammation. Instead of hot showers and baths, opt for cold baths and cold baths to soothe the rash.

Switch to a mild soap or herbal shower gel. Soaps with chemical ingredients can cause skin irritation as well as dryness and itching. Buy mild soap (baby soap or herbal shower gel) at your local pharmacy.

Wear soft cotton clothing. Wearing synthetic fibers that are not breathable can cause sweating and skin irritation.
- Tight clothing can also irritate the skin and make the rash worse.
Keep taking your antivirals. Complete your anti-HIV treatment with your doctor's prescription. Provided that you do not have an allergic reaction to the drug, this will help increase the number of T-lymphocytes and eliminate various symptoms, including a rash.

A rash in HIV is one of the characteristic signs that appear in the early stages of infection. Of course, on the basis of this symptom alone, a diagnosis cannot be made. But the presence of characteristic rashes is a reason to suspect a possible infection of a person and send him to pass the appropriate tests.

Any skin rash associated with a viral infection is called an exanthema. Enanthems are rashes that affect the mucous membranes. They develop due to various factors of endogenous and exogenous nature.

Enanthems can serve as early signs that a person is HIV positive. However, rashes can also appear on the body of a person without the immunodeficiency virus. Nevertheless, a rash associated with HIV infection has a number of characteristic features that are not inherent in dermatological diseases in healthy people.

Against the background of HIV, various skin diseases of a neoplastic and infectious nature, as well as dermatoses of uncertain etiology, can develop.

Whatever disease the infected person develops human HIV, it will always have an atypical flow pattern. In addition, all skin diseases in infected people are incredibly difficult to treat, there is a rapid and persistent addiction to medications and constant relapses.

It is very important to diagnose when a rash appears in an HIV-infected person. Its purpose is to determine the nature of the rash and its causes. After all, rashes are often similar to those characteristic of measles, allergic vasculitis, pink lichen, and even syphilis.

The acute period of rashes falls on 2-8 weeks after infection. Rash with exanthema acute form localized more often on the trunk, but can affect the skin of the face and neck. Wherein Special attention you need to pay attention to the accompanying symptoms, which often accompanies the appearance of a rash. So, it can be noted:

lymphadenopathy;
fever;
diarrhea;
increased sweating.

Outwardly, such symptoms are very similar to infectious mononucleosis or influenza. However, the difference in the case of HIV is that against the background of increasing immunodeficiency, the patient's condition only worsens:

rashes progress;
additionally appear herpetic eruptions;
papules and molluscs can form at the same time.

In addition, if the defeat of the skin begins with isolated inflammatory and other elements, then against the background of a decrease in immunity, the rash spreads throughout the body.

Dermatological problems in HIV infection

The disease is often accompanied by dermatoses, the latter occurring atypically.

According to medical statistics, the following forms of skin lesions are most common:

Mycotic lesions. First of all, these include rubrophytosis, inguinal epidermophytosis, lichen. Regardless of the type of lesion, they have extensive localization throughout the body, a very rapid spread over the skin, and resistance to leakage. In most cases, the disease is not cured, but goes into remission. With a decrease in immunity or under the influence of other factors, a relapse occurs.

Rubrophytosis is a disease that can be accompanied by different symptoms. As a rule, it is characterized by:

exudative erythema;
keratoderma, which affects the palms and feet;
seborrheic dermatitis;
flat papules that are multiple in nature;
onychia, paronychia.

Pityriasis versicolor is another disease that can develop on the background of HIV. At first, it manifests itself in the form of spots, which eventually transform into a rash like papules and plaques.

Viral infections. Common herpes is common in this category. In most cases, it affects the mucous membranes, genitals, skin around the lips and anus. Unlike healthy people, in HIV-infected people, the herpes virus is more severe: rashes are multiple in nature, relapses are very frequent, up to the complete absence of remissions. Herpetic rash is often eroded and ulcerated, causing intense pain. Infected homosexuals often develop herpetic proctitis, which is very difficult and painful.

Often the first sign that a person is infected with HIV is herpes zoster. If, against the background of this type of herpes, the lymph nodes are enlarged, this only confirms the diagnosis.

Molluscum contagiosum is another type of rash that can affect the skin during infection. It is most common among adults, regardless of gender. Localization of mollusks, as a rule, on the skin of the face. They are characterized by rapid spread and frequent relapses.

The same applies to genital warts and vulgar warts. They often appear on the skin and are characterized by rapid growth and frequent relapses.

Other Lesions in HIV Infection

Against the background of the immunodeficiency virus, other dermatological problems may occur, among them:

Pyoderma. This group is represented by a wide range of types of rashes. The most common are folliculitis, impetigo, streptococcal type ecthyma. Folliculitis usually takes the form of acne, so it looks like common acne vulgaris.
Vascular changes. Against the background of HIV, vascular functions are disrupted, as a result of which the appearance skin and mucous membranes. In most cases, these changes appear as erythematous-type macules, telangiectasias, or hemorrhagic-type rashes, which are usually localized in the area chest, are multi-faceted.
Seborrheic dermatitis. More than 50% of cases are diagnosed with this disease in infected people. Moreover, dermatitis manifests itself already in the early stages of the disease. As immunity decreases, the course of dermatitis worsens. The clinical picture can be different: dermatitis can manifest itself both in an abortive limited form, and in a severe generalized form, when the whole body is affected. Most often, rashes are localized in the abdomen, on the sides, perineum, and extremities. Symptoms are similar to ichthyosis vulgaris, the skin is very flaky. The reason for the development of seborrheic dermatitis in this category of persons lies in the activity of the pityrosporal flora.
Papular eruptions. The rash is small, hemispherical in shape, dense in texture, smooth on the surface, does not differ in color from the skin or has a reddish tint. On the skin, the elements are distributed in isolation from each other and do not merge. Localization of the rash - the area of the head, neck, upper body, limbs. The number of elements can be very different - from a few pieces to several hundred. The rash is accompanied by a sensation of itching.
Kaposi's sarcoma. Against the background of HIV, Kaposi's sarcoma can develop, which is an indisputable sign of human infection. It is customary to distinguish in this case 2 types of sarcoma - visceral and dermal. Sarcoma in HIV infection is accompanied by a characteristic clinical picture: the rash has bright color, localized in areas of the body atypical for sarcoma (usually in the face, neck, torso, genitals and oral cavity). The disease proceeds very aggressively, while the lymph nodes and internal organs are affected. Young people are most susceptible to this disease. Sarcoma develops to its final stage in 1.5-2 years.

When HIV passes into the stage of AIDS, the body is affected by even more severe and multiple infections, neoplasms and enanthemas / exanthemas.

The appearance of a rash on the skin with HIV infection is always combined with a lesion lymphatic system, and is also characterized by an atypical clinical picture, a severe course that is not amenable to treatment, and frequent relapses. The combination of these characteristics gives grounds for suspicion of human infection and additional tests necessary to confirm or refute the diagnosis.

An HIV rash is the earliest and most common sign of infection. It is its presence that makes it possible to timely diagnose the human immunodeficiency virus and prescribe effective ARV therapy.

Attention! The defeat of the skin and mucous membranes is observed in 70-85% of patients at the initial stage of HIV.

Unfortunately, the appearance of skin rashes is rarely associated with the human immunodeficiency virus. You can find out why they are an alarm signal, and what a rash looks like with HIV, right now.

In the photo, the human skin is the largest and one of the most complex organs. Due to immunity, human skin is clean and healthy, but as soon as the disease takes over, the skin begins to break down ...

Rashes with HIV on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes occur due to the destruction of the immune system. The condition of the skin is a kind of indicator of dysfunction of organs and systems.

How HIV skin rashes look depends on the following factors:

stages of infection
person's age,
pathogen.

Already 8 days after infection, red spots may appear on the face, trunk and genitals, gradually increasing in size. Acne, pimples, spots on the body of an HIV-positive person become chronic - they are difficult to treat and progress over several years.

The acute period of rashes with human immunodeficiency virus is observed at 5-6 weeks after infection. They are localized on the face, neck and chest. Pay special attention to the rash if it is accompanied by:

itching
high temperature,
increased sweating,
weight loss,
fever.

If these signs appear, be sure to consult a specialist and sign up for an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).

Viral lesions

Viral rashes in HIV predominantly affect the mucous membranes.

Herpes simplex/shingles. Usually observed in the larynx and anal cavity. Among the features are the complexity of treatment and the tendency to re-rash. The elements of the rash are ulcerated;
Molluscum contagiosum. Occurs on the face, usually affects the forehead and cheeks, quickly spreads to the body. Form - nodules of red color with a slight indentation in the upper part;
Hairy leukoplakia. Formed mainly in oral cavity, indicates a strong weakening of the immune system;
Papillomas and condylomas. They have a pointed shape. Usually appear on the mucous membranes of the genital organs and in the anal area.

In the photo, molluscum contagiosum

In the photo, herpes zoster with localization on the human body

Dermatological problems in HIV infection

Skin rashes in HIV are characterized by a generalization of the process (spread of the rash over large areas of the body or simultaneous damage to several areas) and a severe clinical course.

Features of a rash with an immunodeficiency virus:

pain,
frequent ulceration,
accession of a secondary infection,
excretion of pus.

Common dermatological problems in HIV include:

Name	What does it look like?	Localization
pyoderma	Follicles resembling acne or blackheads on the face	Auricles, folds in the inguinal and axillary region, buttocks area.
Hemorrhagic rash	Spots of red color, not having an inflammatory nature. They are at the level of the skin, do not protrude above it.	Face, neck, torso. Rarely seen on limbs.
Papular rash	Small lesions with a slight reddish tint. Consists of single or hundred elements.	Neck, head, limbs and upper body.

Enanthems and exanthems in HIV infection

Skin diseases in HIVsubdivided into:

Exanthems

form only on the surface of the skin and appear 14-56 days after infection.

enanthems

affects the internal and external mucous membranes of the oral cavity, genital organs, etc., manifests itself at any stage of infection.

Against the background of HIV infection, various skin diseases of a neoplastic and infectious nature can develop. There is herpes zoster, various forms of candidiasis, dermatoses of uncertain etiology, etc.

Whatever disease develops, it will have a specific form of flow. In addition, there is a rapid addiction to medications and constant relapses.

Mycotic skin lesions

Mycotic (fungal) lesions affect the epidermis, dermis and skin appendages (nails, hair, etc.). The forms of such a rash in HIV infection are candidiasis and rubrophytosis, pink lichen is less commonly observed in adults and epidermophytosis of the inguinal region.

Features of fungal infections in HIV:

damage to young people
the formation of large foci,
persistent and severe course.

A sign of rubrophytia is sharply defined and slightly convex round spots of pink color. Increasing in size, they take the form of rings and can peel off. Sometimes rubrophytia affects cannon hairs.

A sign of candidiasis is a white cheesy coating on the mucous membranes, a rash and cracks on the external genital organs and in the larynx. Usually develops in men, often leads to the formation of erosions and ulcers.

A sign of multi-colored lichen is a pink rash, up to 5 cm in diameter. Pinkish spots are less commonly formed, which then transform into large cone-shaped papules and plaques (inflammatory and non-inflammatory).

Seborrheic dermatitis in HIV

Seborrheic dermatitis in AIDS develops in 40-60% of patients. It is localized in areas of the body with a large number of sebaceous glands - the scalp, nasolabial triangle, between the shoulder blades, on the chest.

Referring to fungal diseases, seborrheic dermatitis develops gradually - starting with a slight redness, a small pimple and ending with red spots covered with plaques.

Like allergic dermatitis in AIDS, the lesion is accompanied by the formation of cracks, a sticky crust and intense itching. The plaques gradually acquire a yellowish color and have clear boundaries.

A severe form of AIDS is Kaposi's Sarcoma. If HIV treatment is not carried out, then most often this leads to the development of irreversible diseases.

Kaposi's sarcoma in HIV

Kaposi's sarcoma is a malignant vascular tumor that affects not only the skin, but also the internal organs. Education manifests itself in the form of round spots of red-violet color, gradually increasing in size.

Such a skin lesion with HIV infection affects the lymph nodes and provokes the appearance of edema.

Additional features include:

increase in body temperature,
swollen lymph nodes,
diarrhea with traces of blood.

In HIV-infected people, Kaposi's sarcoma usually occurs on the feet, eyelids, nasal tip, and mucous membranes.

Rashes of a specific nature

The rash with HIV is atypical, since the infection disrupts the functioning of various organs and systems. The specificity of the rashes can manifest itself in increased soreness, dense localization in a certain area of the body, intense itching and flaking.

Pathological processes progress rapidly (for example, oral candidiasis covers the entire oral region). It is not possible to completely get rid of them - the treatment gives a short-term result, after which a relapse occurs. Uncharacteristic places for the spread of the rash may be observed (for example, for seborrheic dermatitis - the abdomen and sides).

Skin lesions

What will be the skin manifestations of HIV infection depends on the state of the immune system, viral load and gender of the patient. So, in women, herpes and papular rash are most often observed, and in men with HIV, candidiasis.

Rashes can appear not only on initial stages HIV, but also later - after the detection of infection, in the form of an allergic reaction to ARV drugs. In this case, the rash has the form of erythematous spots and papules.

The appearance of a rash on the skin, accompanied by damage to the lymphatic system, a specific clinical picture and frequent relapses, is a reason to be tested for HIV infection.

Remember that the sooner the infection is detected, the more successful your treatment will be!

Skin rashes with HIV are a sign of the last stages of infection, that is, when they talk about. Skin diseases can be very different, the main of which we will consider below.

Kaposi's sarcoma in HIV

Kaposi's sarcoma occurs in 45% of HIV patients, of which only 15% have its classic variant.

Multiple spots, nodules and knots appear, less often - tumors of a densely elastic consistency, brownish-red or bluish-purple in color. The foci merge into infiltrated plaques, the surface of which is smooth. Plaques and tumors protrude above the level of the surrounding skin, can ulcerate with the formation of long-term non-healing ulcers with bloody-necrotic plaque and a bumpy bottom.

Along with this, there are many hemorrhages (purpura, ecchymosis, hematomas). Swelling of the skin and subcutaneous tissue develops, making it difficult to move the limbs.

Features of the course in AIDS

signs		Kaposi's sarcoma
		Classic variant	with AIDS
Average age		65 years old	40 years
Frequency of localizations:
	limbs	90	50
	Face	8	32
	torso	7	36
	mucous membranes	1	20
	The lymph nodes	1	36
	Visceropathy	1	30

Kaposi's sarcoma in HIV has a number of features. If, in the classical version of sarcoma, rashes are localized in the distal parts of the limbs, then with AIDS, they are on the trunk, head, and limbs.
Often the mucous membranes of the mouth are affected, where purple spots and nodules appear. Significantly more often than in the classical version of sarcoma, lymph nodes are involved in the process.

In 50% of HIV patients, seborrheic dermatitis develops, which is characterized by a severe course, the occurrence of an abundant pustular and papular rash on the face, in the area of \u200b\u200bnatural folds, although the scalp is not affected. Rashes often resemble psoriasiform foci.

Sometimes seborrheic dermatitis is the earliest, and sometimes the only clinically significant sign of AIDS.

Candidiasis in HIV

Characteristic of AIDS is the defeat of the mucous membranes of the mouth and genital organs by fungi of the genus Candida, as well as disseminated skin candidiasis with atypical localization, numerous and frequent relapses.

Candidiasis of the mucous membranes

AIDS affects the cheeks, palate, tongue, and genital mucosa. Characterized by a white coating on a bright red background. Perhaps the formation of erosion and ulceration, in the corners of the mouth, cracks or erosion, surrounded by an erythematous-edematous corolla (jam). On the red border of the lips - bleeding cracks, dry crusty scales and swelling (cheilitis). Sometimes yeast damage to the oral cavity is complicated by esophagitis.

skin candidiasis

With HIV, skin candidiasis affects mainly large (groin-femoral, intergluteal, axillary) and small (interdigital) folds.

The skin is erythematous with a liquid tint, erosions with a shiny surface, surrounded by a fringe of exfoliating epidermis. Around the main focus - "screenings". Rashes can be erythematosquamous, vesicular, eczemo- and psoriasis-like. Candidal skin lesions in HIV are resistant to therapy, prone to relapse, often combined with other infections.

On a limited area of hyperemic skin or mucous membrane, a group of small vesicles appears with transparent contents, which then becomes cloudy. After the opening of the bubbles, erosions with finely scalloped edges are formed. Elements shrink into crusts. In AIDS, lichen lichen simplex mainly affects the perianal region, is characterized by a recurrent course, the occurrence of gangrenous and ulcerative forms, and often causes Kaposi's varicoceleform changes.

Shingles in HIV

Herpes zoster in AIDS due to immunodeficiency recurs and can take a generalized form. It is possible to merge pustular elements and form large blisters with purulent contents. Rashes are often located along the trigeminal nerve.

Molluscum contagiosum in HIV

Dense hemispherical nodules ranging in size from millet grain to cherry-stone, the color of unchanged skin or slightly pinkish with an umbilical depression in the center. When the element is compressed, a curd mass (shellfish bodies) is released. With HIV, molluscum contagiosum is localized mainly in the anogenital region and around the mouth, it is characterized by a multiplicity of rashes (more than 100), a recurrent course.

Other Skin Diseases in HIV

AIDS on the skin can also manifest itself as:

Disorders of the immune system (anergy) lead to the appearance of pyoderma caused by staphylococci and streptococci, especially severe, infiltrative-ulcerative forms and atypical variants prone to abscess formation, chancriform pyoderma.
There are vasculitis with hemorrhages, nodular and ulcerative lesions of the skin.
Warts and genital warts often recur.
Multicolored lichen and dermatophytosis are severe. In patients with scabies, the development of generalized itchy papulosquamous dermatitis is observed. Pink deprive Zhibera acquires a torpid course and can last up to 12 months.
If AIDS develops in patients with psoriasis, then this dermatosis occurs with disseminated pustular rashes.
Other skin diseases include the appearance of malignant skin lymphomas (mycosis fungoides), reticulosarcomatosis, ichthyosiform lesions, pseudolupus syndrome, diffuse alopecia, etc.

How does HIV manifest itself in different time periods?

Reasons for development

AIDS is a viral disease that is provoked by an infectious agent belonging to the retrovirus family.

Virologists distinguish two types of HIV - types 1 and 2, viruses differ in antigenic and structural characteristics. The most common cause of AIDS is HIV type 1. In an infected person, the virus is found in most biological media and cellular elements.

The infection is transmitted through biological fluids - blood, including menstrual discharge, breast milk, semen. HIV risk groups include:

People who engage in promiscuity;
Drug addicts;
People with hemophilia;
Children whose mothers were infected before pregnancy or during gestation.

Skin manifestations AIDS develops due to a decrease in immunity in patients. Therefore, many dermatological diseases in such patients proceed atypically with more severe symptoms than usual.

II. Stage of primary manifestations of HIV infection

After incubation period the stage of primary manifestations of HIV infection develops. It is due to the direct interaction of the patient's body with the immunodeficiency virus and is divided into:

IIA - acute febrile stage of HIV.
IIB - asymptomatic stage of HIV.
IIB - stage of persistent generalized lymphadenopathy.

Signs and symptoms of HIV in IIA (acute febrile) stage

Signs and symptoms of HIV infection in stage IIIA

Stage IIIA of HIV infection is a transitional period from persistent generalized lymphadenopathy to an AIDS-associated complex, which is a clinical manifestation of HIV-induced secondary immunodeficiency.
Rice. 11. The most severe shingles occurs in adults with severe suppression of the immune system, which is observed, including with AIDS.
Signs and symptoms of HIV infection in stage IIIB
This stage of HIV infection is characterized by pronounced symptoms of impaired cellular immunity, and according to clinical manifestations, there is nothing more than an AIDS-associated complex, when the patient develops infections and tumors that are not found in the AIDS stage.
During this period, there is a decrease in the CD4/CD8 ratio and the blast transformation reaction rate, the level of CD4-lymphocytes is recorded in the range from 200 to 500 per 1 μl. In the general analysis of blood, leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia increase, in the blood plasma there is an increase in circulating immune complexes.
The clinical picture is characterized by prolonged (more than 1 month) fever, persistent diarrhea, profuse night sweats, pronounced symptoms of intoxication, weight loss of more than 10%. Lymphadenopathy becomes generalized. There are symptoms of damage to internal organs and the peripheral nervous system.
Identified diseases such as viral (hepatitis C, common herpes zoster), fungal diseases(oral and vaginal candidiasis), persistent and long-term bacterial infections of the bronchi and lungs, protozoal lesions (without dissemination) of internal organs, Kaposi's sarcoma in a localized form, pulmonary tuberculosis. Skin lesions are more common, severe, and longer in duration.

Rice. 12. Bacillary angiomatosis in HIV patients. The causative agent of the disease is a bacterium of the genus Bartonella.
Rice. 13. Signs of HIV in men in the later stages: damage to the rectum and soft tissues (photo on the left), genital warts (photo on the right).
Signs and symptoms of HIV infection in stage IIIB (stage AIDS)
IIIB stage of HIV infection represents a detailed picture of AIDS, characterized by a deep suppression of the immune system and the development of opportunistic diseases that occur in severe form, threatening the life of the patient.
The transition to the terminal stage of AIDS occurs when the level of CD4-lymphocytes decreases to 50 and below in 1 µl. During this period, an uncontrolled course of the disease is noted and an unfavorable outcome is expected in the near future. The patient is exhausted, depressed and loses faith in recovery.
The lower the level of CD4-lymphocytes, the more severe the manifestations of infections and the shorter the duration of the terminal stage of HIV infection.

Signs and symptoms of HIV infection in the terminal (last) stage
The patient develops atypical mycobacteriosis, CMV (cytomegalovirus) retinitis, cryptococcal meningitis, widespread aspergillosis, disseminated histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis and bartonnellosis, leukoencephalitis progresses.
Disease symptoms overlap. The patient's body is rapidly depleted. Due to constant fever, severe symptoms of intoxication and cachexia, the patient is constantly in bed. Diarrhea and loss of appetite leads to weight loss. dementia develops.
Viremia increases, CD4-lymphocyte counts reach critically minimal values.

Rice. 16. Terminal stage of the disease. Complete loss of the patient's faith in recovery. In the photo on the left is an AIDS patient with severe somatic pathology, in the photo on the right is a patient with a common form of Kaposi's sarcoma.

HIV stages
Throughout the study period this disease and the search for an antidote to it, the classification of the stages of HIV infection has repeatedly changed.
To date, there are 5 stages of the HIV infection process:
The incubation stage is the period of the disease, the beginning of which is associated with the moment a person is infected with a virus, and the end with the time the immune system produces antibodies. The duration of this period directly depends on the immunity of the patient - as a rule, it ranges from 2 weeks to 3 months.
The stage of primary manifestations is the period of introduction, development and spread of HIV throughout the patient's body. This stage can last from 2 weeks to a month and a half - most often its duration is a couple of weeks.
The latent (subclinical) stage is the period of asymptomatic struggle of the immune system with the virus. This stage is the longest - it can last from 2 to 10-20 years.
The stage of secondary diseases (pre-AIDS) is a period when the immune system is already significantly undermined and destroyed - it does not have enough strength to cope with those infections to which a person has hitherto been immune.
The terminal stage (AIDS) is the last, final stage, characterized by irreversible processes in the human body. The end of this period is death.

At this stage, there is a rapid defeat of all internal organs. The course of the virus can be complicated by an additional infection or by the development of an oncological process.

At this stage, the disease does not stay for more than two years, since the last stage comes - AIDS. But, before the carrier of the virus, such pathological manifestations begin to activate:
The danger of HIV infection is that a few years later, a carrier of the virus is diagnosed with a new, already fatal diagnosis of AIDS. During this period, the man is completely weakened, and his internal organs and systems are destroyed.
In this case, death can even be from a banal SARS. Therefore, urgent therapy is required, eliminating the main symptoms and slightly prolonging life.

If left untreated, a patient diagnosed with AIDS cannot live more than one year.
At the final stage, the virus provokes the development of additional dangerous ailments (sarcoma, tuberculosis, oncology). In addition, the brain suffers greatly from the virus, and as a result, the patient's intellectual abilities noticeably decrease, and memory deteriorates.
It must be remembered that the main risk group is people who are sexually promiscuous, homosexuals, drug addicts. It is also very important during the planning of a child to undergo all the necessary tests, since one of the ways of HIV transmission involves infection from mother to baby.

Therefore, experts recommend once a year to carry out a complete diagnosis of the body for the timely detection of pathologies. Indeed, in most cases, HIV in men is already detected in an advanced form, which significantly reduces life expectancy and brings the diagnosis of AIDS closer.
Testing to detect HIV is mandatory, as the virus has been asymptomatic for many years. The only warning symptom may appear in the form of cold symptoms, thereby leading the man astray.

Signs of HIV: Video

The first signs of HIV

The first signs of HIV in children
Children infected in utero often develop HIV infection much faster than children infected after one year. Symptoms in such small patients appear already in the first 12 months of their life.
In many children, the signs of the disease may not make themselves felt until 6-7, and sometimes 10-12 years.
Signs of HIV infection include:
delay in physical development
delayed psychomotor development
lymphadenopathy
enlargement of the liver and spleen (myalgia)
frequent acute respiratory infections
problems with the gastrointestinal tract
skin rashes
CNS disorders
cardiovascular failure
encephalopathy
anemia

When do the first symptoms of HIV begin to appear?
Very often, the onset of the disease in people of all genders and ages is completely asymptomatic, and sometimes its symptoms can be easily confused with other, less dangerous infectious diseases.

In other cases, the first signs of HIV infection may appear as early as 2-6 months after infection. Such symptoms will indicate the onset of the acute phase of the disease.

External manifestations of HIV
The most common sign of the presence of HIV infection in the body in a patient of any gender and age is enlarged lymph nodes. At what, as a rule, not one group of lymph nodes increases, but several at once - on the neck, in the groin, armpits, on the elbows.
On palpation, such nodes do not hurt and have a normal color. Lymph nodes can increase from 2 to 6 cm.
As for the rashes and neoplasms that very often appear with HIV infection, they can be of the following nature:
pinkish rash
burgundy tumors
condylomas
papillomas
herpes
mucosal inflammation
ulcers and erosions in the mouth
inflammation in the vagina
hives
maculopapular rash
seborrheic dermatitis
rash with vascular changes
pyoderma
lichen
psoriasis
rubrophytia
molluscum contagiosum
hairy leukoplakia
Kaposi's sarcoma

Herpes in HIV
The herpes virus infects 90% of the world's population. About 95% of those infected are unaware of the presence of this virus in their body, and only 5% of infected patients experience its obvious symptoms - bubble formations on the skin of the face, genitals, and mucous membranes.
If there is also an HIV infection in the patient's body, the herpes virus can manifest itself as follows:

How to recognize HIV in a general blood test?
A general blood test does not identify the human immunodeficiency virus itself, but it can reveal a number of changes in his body.

If a person has HIV infection, a general blood test can fix the following conditions:
Lymphocytosis - an increased concentration of lymphocytes in the blood, due to the arming of immunity against HIV; characteristic early stage illness.
Lymphopenia - a decrease in the level of T-lymphocytes in the blood due to the weakening of the immune system in the process of fighting the virus; occurs at the end of the acute phase.
Thrombocytopenia is a decrease in the level of platelets responsible for blood clotting.
Neutropenia is a decrease in the concentration of neutrophils (granular leukocytes), which are responsible for the initial stage of the fight against pathogenic agents in the blood.
Anemia is a decrease in hemoglobin levels.
High ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate).
Increased content of mononuclear cells (atypical cell forms).

What to do if diagnosed with HIV?
Most carriers report a tendency to damage the liver and respiratory tract. Based on this, the body cannot resist pneumocystis, cytomegalovirus, and tuberculosis bacteria.
Also, hepatitis B and C are of particular danger with weakened immunity. The patient may note the following complaints:
Unreasonable feeling of fear.
Painful syndrome in the region of the heart muscle.
Unmotivated fear.
Cardiopalmus.
Attacks of asthenia.

Under the influence of the virus, significant changes occur in the nerve cells, provoking the appearance of various symptoms. For example, the following should not be ignored:
constant feeling of powerlessness;
low level of physical activity;
uncharacteristic irritability;
headache attacks;
sleep disturbance;
general weakness in the body.

Symptoms of the disease
The infected person does not immediately realize that the HIV virus is activated in his body. Then, depending on the stage of development of the process, the first alarming signs appear. On average, it takes from three weeks to three months to notice uncharacteristic symptoms.
For example, many men begin to show acute symptoms after a few months. An infected person may present with complaints of fever, mild chills, a sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.
All these signs are misleading, therefore, in order to block the symptoms, men begin to take antiviral drugs. But, it is not taken into account that during this period, during palpation, you can feel an enlarged liver, which is not typical for a common cold.

This should be the motivation to immediately consult a doctor for a general diagnosis of the body.

Signs of HIV infection in a man and a woman who has contracted it are usually no different. After about 1-2 months, a man may feel the following symptoms:
Change in body temperature (uncharacteristic jumps).
Constant chill.
Very often, a man notes weakness or soreness of the muscles.
Enlarged lymph nodes.
Headache.
Increased sweating, especially at night.

Indigestion (frequent diarrhea).
Sore throat.
Skin rash.
Symptoms of thrush and ulcers in the oral cavity.
Pain in the joints.
Violation of concentration.

An alarming symptom of HIV in a man is a rash on the body.

Table 2. The nature of the rash
In addition, the man constantly feels tired, his physical activity decreases. Possibly the onset of depression. During palpation, the doctor will note an increase in the size of the liver.
It is important when such signs of HIV infection appear in a man, immediately consult a doctor, undergo the necessary examination and begin treatment with antiviral drugs, without which life expectancy is significantly reduced.

Diagnostic methods
The atypical course of skin diseases is the basis for referring the patient for HIV testing.
Laboratory diagnostics is carried out in three stages:
First, the fact of infection is established;
Next, the stage of the process is determined, and the diagnosis of secondary diseases provoked by HIV infection is made.
The last stage of the examination is regular monitoring of the clinical course of the disease and the effectiveness of the treatment.

Treatment methods
In the treatment of dermatological manifestations of AIDS, intensive antiretroviral therapy is also used.
Skin diseases in HIV infection are treated according to the methods adopted for the treatment of a particular disease. However, given the fact that HIV-related skin diseases are more severe, it may be necessary to increase the doses of the drugs used and extend the treatment courses.
Simultaneously with the treatment of skin diseases, intensive antiretroviral therapy is carried out. The choice of the drug is carried out by the doctor depending on the patient's condition.

Today, the treatment regimen for HIV infection includes:
Didanosine, Zalcitabine, Zidovudine are drugs used in the first stages of treatment.
Stavudin, Saquinavir, Indivinar - drugs for the treatment of adult patients in the late stages of the disease;

In addition to the appointment of antiretroviral drugs, antiviral, antimicrobial, antimycotic and antitumor drugs are individually selected in the treatment of AIDS. This is necessary to prevent the development of complications, including skin diseases.
It is impossible to cure a disease in a man. However, if HIV was detected at the initial stages of development (regardless of the presence of symptoms) and its treatment was started on time, then the patient has a chance to prolong his life.

As a therapy, the patient is prescribed antiviral drugs, the main task of which is to slow down the development of the disease. In addition, he needs to take immunostimulating drugs. Additionally, the symptoms of concomitant pathologies are treated.
Prevention
The prognosis for HIV infection depends on the stage of detection of diseases. Early start of antiretroviral and symptomatic therapy can significantly prolong life and improve its quality.
Prevention of HIV infection lies in the knowledge and application of the rules of safe sex, in refusing to use drugs. When performing various medical procedures, only disposable or sterilized equipment should be used.
To exclude the transmission of the virus from a sick mother to a child, breastfeeding is prohibited.

The most important role is the constant diagnosis and passing of various tests to detect infection. All people who are donors of blood, organs, sperm, and tissues should be examined.
It is important for every person to know the rules for preventing infectious diseases and to undergo an annual free examination using special tests or analyzes.
Knowing how HIV is transmitted, doctors identify some principles for its prevention:
Avoid casual sexual contact, and in case of contact, be sure to use barrier methods of contraception. This is important to do regardless of the type of sexual intercourse, as it has been proven that HIV can be transmitted not only during traditional, but also during anal or oral sex.
Avoid using used needles and syringes. Due to the neglect of this rule, there is a wide spread of the disease among drug addicts who use one common syringe for injection.
It is important to always use disposable or sterile instruments when undergoing medical examinations or treatment. The same applies to beauty salons, where all devices must be sterilized.

HIV infection is dangerous because it primarily affects immune system a person, as a result of which his body is not able to cope even with a common cold.

In addition, HIV inevitably leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, a disease that is incurable and fatal within a short time.
Accessible words about the prevention of HIV infection. Lecture by Dr. Makarova:
The insidiousness of the virus lies in the fact that it is impossible to detect it on your own. Also, for a long time, he may not give characteristic symptoms, so a man may not be aware that he is a carrier and continue to infect others at this time.

Only special people can detect the virus in the body lab tests, which were carried out a few months after infection, since earlier the result may be negative, despite its presence in the body.
Therefore, it is important for every man from 18 to 45 years old, leading an active sexual life, to donate blood for an HIV test about once a year.
When an infection can be detected on initial stage its development, a man has every chance to prolong his life, thanks to special antiviral therapy.

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