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What Causes Maculopapular Rashes On Body?

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Posted on Tue, 27 May 2014
Question: 14 weeks ago had blood drawn to general lab exams through the vacutainer system. Vacutainers holders are reused in my country. I did see blood spots on the outside of the holder- not few drops but a lot of them. Not sure if the blood was mine- it was after the needle used on me be discharged- because I didnt pay attention before, but after the procedure. Called the lab, they said no risk, but if happened what I said, would be a breach of protocol.
A week ago a rash showed up in my body, non itchy, started in the chest, now in neck, back, tummy, arms and thighs. Went to ER saturday- they told it was allergic and I had some histamine shots. Didnt help- it spread. So I went to my dermatologist who said it was a maculopapular rash, common in viral infections, but didnt said which vĂ­rus. Had no fever, no sore throat.
Im worried i could get infected due this procedure. Should I test? Would the so called "ars" show up more than 12 weeks in form of just a rash?
Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
HIV risk is negligible, rule out with HIV test.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Thanks for posting your query.

Even if we consider the blood outside was somebody's blood, it was not necessarily HIV positive one. Even if we consider it could be a positive HIV blood, it would be infectious only if you had some cuts or abrasions in your hand. This type of risk also is a negligible one as per CDC,Atlanta. So there is nothing to get panicky.

Maculopapular rashes can occur to anybody with or without HIV, and this is a very common symptom and can be a manifestation of so many other dermatological condition other than HIV.
Signs and symptoms of Acute HIV infection and ARS not necessarily occurs with all HIV infected individuals. Testing for HIV is the final one to reveal or rule out the possibility of HIV and it will relieve unnecessary mental tension.
So it is better to have the test and a negative HIV test is of great help to you.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (11 hours later)
Thanks Dr.

The blood didnt contact my hands- and Im sure I didnt have cuts or abrasions of any sort.

Just got worried if by accident the practioner touched the holder where the blood was (if wasnt mine) with the needle and then drawn the blood from me- but this would be a very unprobable scene, I guess- and the blood wasnt fresh as it took at least 5 minutes between person A to leave the room and I enter. After that, the rash appeared- more than 3 months from the incident- but as I never had this, panicked.

Thanks, I will test. I guess anyone has got infected in this way, even in a country as Brazil.



Will test.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Getting HIV is remote possibility for you this way

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Welcome back.

Even the practitioner's hands were in contact with the blood, as you rightly mentioned the probability of getting an infection is remote. HIV can not exist outside the body more than few seconds. Doctors would not touch the needle while using the vacutainer. So nothing to worry at all.
Dr S.Murugan
Note: Get personalized answers to your HIV related queries You can choose to talk face to face with your doctor. Book a Video Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan

HIV AIDS Specialist

Practicing since :1974

Answered : 3109 Questions

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What Causes Maculopapular Rashes On Body?

Brief Answer: HIV risk is negligible, rule out with HIV test. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome back. Thanks for posting your query. Even if we consider the blood outside was somebody's blood, it was not necessarily HIV positive one. Even if we consider it could be a positive HIV blood, it would be infectious only if you had some cuts or abrasions in your hand. This type of risk also is a negligible one as per CDC,Atlanta. So there is nothing to get panicky. Maculopapular rashes can occur to anybody with or without HIV, and this is a very common symptom and can be a manifestation of so many other dermatological condition other than HIV. Signs and symptoms of Acute HIV infection and ARS not necessarily occurs with all HIV infected individuals. Testing for HIV is the final one to reveal or rule out the possibility of HIV and it will relieve unnecessary mental tension. So it is better to have the test and a negative HIV test is of great help to you. Dr S.Murugan