HIV and Skin Conditions

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Original Editor - Rosie Swift

Top Contributors - Rosie Swift and Kim Jackson  

Introduction

Dermatological problems occur in more than 90% of people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system and, without treatment, will progress into Acquired Immune-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which is characterised by opportunistic infections that are usually fatal if untreated. Several infectious, inflammatory, and neoplastic skin and mucosal conditions can affect individuals with HIV infection and some of these conditions occur at specific stages of HIV infection. The prevalence, spectrum and severity of skin and oral conditions increases as the CD4 count declines below 200 cells/mm3 . Although skin conditions are not a major cause of mortality, they provoke scratching, disfigurement, pain, sleep disturbance and psychological distress, severely impacting the individual's life.

Aetiology

Some skin conditions typically experienced by individuals with HIV are opportunistic infections, in that they take advantage of a weakened immune system. Other skin conditions result from an over active immune system in response to antiretroviral treatment, or as a side effect of the drugs themselves.

Common types of skin conditions in HIV

pathognomonic of HIV/AIDS:

Kaposi sarcoma

herpes zoster

papular pruritic eruption

extensive candidiasis