Expert: John Thai, M.D. - 9/10/2007

Question
Like a week ago i started getting these bumps on my chest like some of them are just red bumps and others are like dryskin bumps or something like that i dont really know how to explain it. scaly maybe. they are spreading down to my upper stomach. COULD THIS BE HIV IM SO SCARED PLEASE GIVE ME SOME ADVICE (im tryin to set up a doctors appt. but i dont have insurance and they want like 200 that day and the health department told me i had to wait til october!!

Answer
Hi,

I cannot tell you what the "red bumps" are as it need visual examination. What I can tell you is that HIV does not usually present with rash or red bumps. The "dryskin bumps" sounds more like a rash that is caused by virus or fungus. Check to see if you have had your Rubella (aka MMR) vaccine. As Rubella spreads from top to bottom.

Fungal rashes usually spread quick and have dry scaly patches that may or may not itch. These can be treated with over-the-counter anti-fungals like miconazole 2% cream for 3-6 weeks.

The health department should have an "urgent care" or "walk-in" center. I would call them back and ask where is their walk-in department as you need to seen immediately.

Most county hospitals have urgent care centers. You must provide financial documents, such as tax returns, to prove that you meet certain criteria for low cost to free care. otherwise, they will charge you the full price.

The health department also has STI (sexually transmitted infection) clinics that are free. They are clinics that only specializes in STIs. They have physicians available to examine you.

However, I recommend that you see a primary care physician as it sounds more like a viral rash. It does not sound like HIV to me.

To ease your worries regarding HIV, I recommend having a HIV test at the STI clinic once every 3 months, if you are sexually active. Most offer the Orasure Advance method, which will provide you with a result the same day within 20-30 minutes after swabbing inside your mouth.

I also recommend a complete STI checkup - especially syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.

Regards,

John T, MD