We've all heard of HIV and the dangers resulting from an HIV infection. We've also been told about the symptoms and what to look for when trying to identify an HIV outbreak. One of the more common symptoms of the disease is a skin rash, which is an early indication that someone has contracted the virus. The trouble with this description is that there are lots of different types of skin rashes that can appear as a result of other conditions like allergies, environmental contaminants, and even other viruses. So, it is very difficult for the average person to identify the infection without seeing pictures of HIV rashes.

Identifying the Symptoms:

One of the first things you should look for when identifying the rash is the red, slightly raised, itchy patch of skin. The rash will look very much like blotches and spots over an area of the skin. The amount of skin surface the rash will cover depends largely on the extent of the infection. Some people will see a minor rash that covers only a small area, while others will be more severe and can cover the entire body. Fair skinned people will see a reddish color while on people with darker skin, it will appear to be almost purple in color.

This description, while pretty clear can only give people an idea of what the rash actually looks like. Still, HIV rashes are often quite similar to other types of rashes caused by dermatitis, eczema, and other skin conditions. Even with pictures of HIV rashes to look at you may not be sure if it is an HIV breakout or not. Your best bet would be to see a medical professional to determine what type of virus actually caused the outbreak.

If You Have a Picture:

Anyone can go online and find pictures of HIV rashes. If you suspect that you have been infected with HIV, analyze the picture carefully and see if the symptoms you are experiencing are in line with the common symptoms of HIV. It is rare that there will be an HIV flare up without other associated symptoms to go along with it. Still, all of these steps can be inconclusive. As average laypeople without a medical background it can be difficult to determine these conditions for ourselves. This is why it is strongly recommended that we don't revert to self diagnosis when it comes to serious conditions like HIV.

While having an outbreak of acne and an outbreak of HIV may at times look very similar, the seriousness and treatment options couldn't be more different. Anyone who suspects that they may have been exposed to HIV at some point should have themselves tested even if symptoms are not evident. The CDC recommends that all adults get tested for HIV infection regardless of possible exposure to the virus. Because HIV can be contracted from a variety of different circumstances, it is essential that everyone take this type of infection very seriously to prevent further spread of the virus.