Hi Chris, hope you had a good Christmas?!

I posted just before Christmas asking for information on the early signs of HIV rash, you kindly replied and asked me to define the rash, which i have done. Can you let me know your views please ( or anyone else for that matter ).

I now have approx 10 / 12 small pimple like spots on the legs. They seem to come from the hair folicles, is this something that can be associated? As previously mentioned seem to be more tired recently and have come down with approx 3 colds in as many months.

Thanks Chris and all, your views are really appreciated.

Does this rash itch? Is it located on any place other than your legs? For example, your abdomen? Sometimes these condition are related to a contact dermititis which happens with some new cloths (socks for example) or a new detergent.

On the other hand, when was the last time you had a CBC (complete blood count (not HIV test))? There is a condition called "thrombocytopenia". Goodgle "thrombocytopenia" and see how close these symtoms are. I thought I had thrombocytopenia once. Made mad dash to the doctors practically screaming that I was going to die! She laughed at me (as she sometimes does when I become overly dramatic) and told me that I needed to use hydrocortisone cream and it would go away. It did...

Christmas was great though I'm glad it's over. And yours? chris

The spots are at the tops of my legs, my washing powder is still the same! I noticed a couple of days ago on my abdomen abit of flaky skin, this morning my whole abdomen area now seems to be going pinky / purple like a low key bruise. Why did you mention the abdomen, is this linked, beginning to go out of my mind.

Christmas was good, only problem couldnt get this out of my head!!

Thanks Chris, really appreciate your advice...

Buddy: when I panicked thinking I had thrombocytopenia, my doctor told that typically the dots (teeny/tiny red dots...like pencil points) appear first on the abdomen. THose of us who have tendencies toward hypochondria usually take "symptoms," even things that are not "symptoms" but things that we are convinced are "symptoms", and run with them. It's what creates all that anxiety and fear. IT is possible that, if you are in a cold climate and heat your home, that it is simply dry skin. chris

Thanks Chris, have to say without guys n gals like you on this site people like me would be even worse, problem is once its in your head its like a disease in itself! Everytime i get a cold, cough, spot or just something simple like not feeling hungry i start panicking!! Feel sleepy at the min, thats fatigue ( a sympton ) nothing to do with the fact im worrying so am not sleeping !! Get a sore throat, worry, smoke more, no wonder it gets worse.Vicious circle,ahh!!

Have been told when you get the rash, its not nice so you will know it!!

Thanks again Chris, sorry to be a pain...

PS. May i ask are you positive yourself?

Dear Buddy: the Buddhists call what we do to ourselves (the panic, the anxiety, and the inability to stay focused) "monkey mind" it's like a monkey hopping from tree limb to tree limb.

Yes, I'm positive. chris