Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 29, 2024, 12:40:05 am

Login with username, password and session length


Members
  • Total Members: 37614
  • Latest: bondann
Stats
  • Total Posts: 772947
  • Total Topics: 66310
  • Online Today: 315
  • Online Ever: 5484
  • (June 18, 2021, 11:15:29 pm)
Users Online
Users: 0
Guests: 315
Total: 315

Welcome


Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and others concerned about HIV/AIDS.  Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning:  Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.

  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

  • Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators of these forums. Click here for “Do I Have HIV?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

  • We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are true and correct to their knowledge.

  • Product advertisement—including links; banners; editorial content; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from POZ.

To change forums navigation language settings, click here (members only), Register now

Para cambiar sus preferencias de los foros en español, haz clic aquí (sólo miembros), Regístrate ahora

Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.

Author Topic: Impetigo down there - HIV related?  (Read 5445 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Cojo

  • Member
  • Posts: 232
Impetigo down there - HIV related?
« on: March 05, 2013, 07:41:17 pm »
I've had the unfortunate challenge of dealing with a rash and burning in the inner thigh, genital and back of the legs area for the last month now. When it first acted up, I just went to a walk in clinic and all was well until the doc heard me say " HIV " at which point she said " well then it could be anything...see your own doctor" and she gave me a cream with a corticosteroid and anti-fungal in it in the interim. Didn't work and the rash spread and blisters popped up and burst all over the area - ouch!

I went to my own doc who thought it was fungal (yeast) and gave me a cream called Clopax and took some scrapings for the lab.

A week later, he called and the lab confirmed impetigo and I have been using a bactobam cream (antibacterial) for a week now. The spots are all gone, but the skin is still itchy/burning.

So with a whopping 310 CD4's, I am concerned this is HIV related. I think this because I am generally anxious and fixated on my numbers being below 500 and from the reaction of the walk in clinic doctor. It also seems pretty stubborn to last this long.

Anyone with similar experience or insights?
May 2011 - Tested Positive
June 2011 - CD4 330   16%   VL182,000 no resistance
Oct 6, 2011 - CD4 300  20%  VL 60,000
Oct 7, 2011 - start Truvada / Isentress
Nov 29, 2011 CD4 280 26% VL 54
Feb 7 2012 CD4 260 25% UD!
Mar 20 2012 CD4 400 28%
June 2012 CD4 330 26% UD
Sept 2012 CD4 450 32% UD
Dec 2012 CD4 310 28% UD
May 2013 CD4 500 32% UD
Oct 2013 CD4 460 33% UD
May 2014 CD4 360 33% UD
Aug 2014 swap out Isentress for Tivicay
Oct 2014 CD4 320 33% UD
Feb 2015 CD4 420 30% UD
Jul 2015 CD4 480 32% VL51 !!
Sep 2015 UD
Feb 2016 CD4 460 35% UD
Aug 2016 CD4 378 33% UD

Offline Souledout

  • Member
  • Posts: 160
Re: Impetigo down there - HIV related?
« Reply #1 on: March 06, 2013, 05:42:26 am »
I'm sure I replied to this once...

Anyway, I had impetigo when I was a teenager, I feel for you - it's gross. Your treatment only started when you got he antibiotic cream, the fungal cream will do nothing, so you've only had a week on the mend. If the blisters have cleared up then you should be fine I should think, the rest will clear up in due course. I can't remember how long it took for me to completely clear it but if its not shown notable improvement in the next week I'd get further advise from your doc.

Infection sometime April-August, no noticable seroconversion symptoms
Not currently on medication
13/09/12 CD4 672 (33%) VL <40 (diagnosis date)
18/09/12 CD4 ?               VL 43
27/09/12 CD4 ?               VL 127
19/11/12 CD4 676 (38%) VL 959
03/03/13 CD4 642 (32%) VL 291
04/07/13 CD4 791 (33%) VL 26,437 (active cold sore, tooth infection)
18/07/13 ------retest------VL 3704
18/11/13 CD4 802 (36%) VL 65

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Impetigo down there - HIV related?
« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2013, 11:40:17 am »
Cojo, Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial infection. While it is more common in children, it can also affect adults. Adults who play contact sports are particularly prone to it - and in a way, sexual contact can be classed as a contact sport. ;)

Impetigo is notorious for being slow-healing. None of this is very likely to be due to your hiv infection. It's just one of those bacterial infections that anyone can pick up who is unfortunate enough to come into close contact with someone who has the infection.

The bacterium that cause impetigo can remain viable on objects in the environment for short periods, so it is also possible to pick it up from gym equipment or sharing towels, razors or other personal care items.

You should be carefully washing the area several times a day with an antibacterial soap, taking care to only use a washcloth or towel once on the area before washing them. You can spread impetigo around your body if you're not careful. Also make sure you wash your hands each and every time you touch the affected skin.
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline weasel

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,906
Re: Impetigo down there - HIV related?
« Reply #3 on: March 06, 2013, 08:18:52 pm »

 I had a whole body  case of Impetigo , That was my  first clue I had
 turned  FULL BLOWN AIDS !

   After I started MEDS the Impetigo went away .

    The Volcanic Eruptions of my skin is something I will never forget  :'(

                                                     Weasel , Pimpole free now   :)
" Live and let Live "

Offline ds4146

  • Member
  • Posts: 317
Re: Impetigo down there - HIV related?
« Reply #4 on: March 06, 2013, 09:10:56 pm »
Ugh, I feel for you Cojo! I had it this as a very, very young, a couple of years ago  :P

I am not sure which is worse, having it down there or on your face, which is where I had it. Of course kids being kids I was tormented but survived. Some fool suggested using corn starch to help with the issue and that only added to the ridicule.

Hope it gets better soon!

Offline Souledout

  • Member
  • Posts: 160
Re: Impetigo down there - HIV related?
« Reply #5 on: March 07, 2013, 04:50:28 am »
Ugh, I feel for you Cojo! I had it this as a very, very young, a couple of years ago  :P

I am not sure which is worse, having it down there or on your face, which is where I had it. Of course kids being kids I was tormented but survived. Some fool suggested using corn starch to help with the issue and that only added to the ridicule.

Hope it gets better soon!

I had it on my face also. Extremely horrible.
Infection sometime April-August, no noticable seroconversion symptoms
Not currently on medication
13/09/12 CD4 672 (33%) VL <40 (diagnosis date)
18/09/12 CD4 ?               VL 43
27/09/12 CD4 ?               VL 127
19/11/12 CD4 676 (38%) VL 959
03/03/13 CD4 642 (32%) VL 291
04/07/13 CD4 791 (33%) VL 26,437 (active cold sore, tooth infection)
18/07/13 ------retest------VL 3704
18/11/13 CD4 802 (36%) VL 65

Offline elf

  • Member
  • Posts: 645
Re: Impetigo down there - HIV related?
« Reply #6 on: March 14, 2013, 08:52:53 pm »
 ::)

Offline elf

  • Member
  • Posts: 645
Re: Impetigo down there - HIV related?
« Reply #7 on: March 14, 2013, 08:54:14 pm »
I had bullous impetigo the same week I was diagnosed with HIV (@CD4 353).
It was in a form of supertiny vesicles/blisters at the base of the (facial) hair follicles.
(When I tried to shave myself, these vesicles would pop and bleed)
I used an antibiotic cream, and it went away in a few days...  ;)
It never came back (because I soon started taking meds, and my CD4 are always in the 700-1400 range). I was thinking of seeing my family doctor, but eventually I decided not to scare her away...
« Last Edit: March 14, 2013, 08:56:46 pm by elf »

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Impetigo down there - HIV related?
« Reply #8 on: March 15, 2013, 06:31:21 am »
So how's it going, Cojo? It's been about ten days since you first posted this thread and you haven't replied once. It would be nice if you took the time to let us know how you're healing up, since some of us took the time to talk to you about it.

I'm not "getting at you", I'm genuinely interested to know if you're feeling better (as in more relaxed that it wasn't necessarily - and most likely was not - hiv related) and whether or not the infection has completely cleared up.

I always worry when someone posts about a problem that is obviously causing them stress (and pain or whatever) and then never follows up with a post to let us know how things turned out. I suppose it's the mother hen in me that makes me worry and suspect the worst.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline Cojo

  • Member
  • Posts: 232
Re: Impetigo down there - HIV related?
« Reply #9 on: March 19, 2013, 10:13:38 pm »
Ann you are such a sweetie; you can "mother hen" me anytime as care can never offend me!
I have been off grid for about a week. I was on a trip and I decided that I just needed a break from it all ...I don't know if that resonates, but I just resisted logging in.
So the impetigo....
After about 6 days of antibiotic cream called bactobam, the lesions all healed up. What's odd is that I still have a very real and irritating presence of itching, burning a little pain intermittently when the skin rubs together. I have been putting gold bond powder on it and the menthol seems to help.
I have my labs in the next two weeks so if the tingling is still happening I will bring it up.
On the lab front....you'll notice that my labs took quite a dip last time so I have apprehension a little more than usual...oh the joys of HIV
May 2011 - Tested Positive
June 2011 - CD4 330   16%   VL182,000 no resistance
Oct 6, 2011 - CD4 300  20%  VL 60,000
Oct 7, 2011 - start Truvada / Isentress
Nov 29, 2011 CD4 280 26% VL 54
Feb 7 2012 CD4 260 25% UD!
Mar 20 2012 CD4 400 28%
June 2012 CD4 330 26% UD
Sept 2012 CD4 450 32% UD
Dec 2012 CD4 310 28% UD
May 2013 CD4 500 32% UD
Oct 2013 CD4 460 33% UD
May 2014 CD4 360 33% UD
Aug 2014 swap out Isentress for Tivicay
Oct 2014 CD4 320 33% UD
Feb 2015 CD4 420 30% UD
Jul 2015 CD4 480 32% VL51 !!
Sep 2015 UD
Feb 2016 CD4 460 35% UD
Aug 2016 CD4 378 33% UD

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Impetigo down there - HIV related?
« Reply #10 on: March 20, 2013, 09:08:00 am »

I have been off grid for about a week. I was on a trip and I decided that I just needed a break from it all ...I don't know if that resonates, but I just resisted logging in.


Resonates? It positively makes me quiver! I get it. Yes, I get it. Boy oh boy do I get it! ;D




I'm glad to hear the infection has cleared up, but it's weird that you're still experiencing a burning, tingling pain at the site. That sounds more like shingles (herpes zoster).

Thing is though, shingles normally only presents on one side of the body, and it sounds like you had it on both legs. Please do mention this lingering pain to your doctor.

Ann
(who will resist going off-grid - Jeff would have my guts for garters!)
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline Cojo

  • Member
  • Posts: 232
Re: Impetigo down there - HIV related?
« Reply #11 on: March 20, 2013, 06:50:08 pm »
LOL...thanks Ann, and hold tight to those garters!
May 2011 - Tested Positive
June 2011 - CD4 330   16%   VL182,000 no resistance
Oct 6, 2011 - CD4 300  20%  VL 60,000
Oct 7, 2011 - start Truvada / Isentress
Nov 29, 2011 CD4 280 26% VL 54
Feb 7 2012 CD4 260 25% UD!
Mar 20 2012 CD4 400 28%
June 2012 CD4 330 26% UD
Sept 2012 CD4 450 32% UD
Dec 2012 CD4 310 28% UD
May 2013 CD4 500 32% UD
Oct 2013 CD4 460 33% UD
May 2014 CD4 360 33% UD
Aug 2014 swap out Isentress for Tivicay
Oct 2014 CD4 320 33% UD
Feb 2015 CD4 420 30% UD
Jul 2015 CD4 480 32% VL51 !!
Sep 2015 UD
Feb 2016 CD4 460 35% UD
Aug 2016 CD4 378 33% UD

 


Terms of Membership for these forums
 

© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.