Science / Medicine : Early Warning Signs of AIDS Discovered

Skin conditions ranging from blisters to warts may serve as warnings of AIDS infection months before other symptoms appear, doctors report. A new study done in Finland found that a variety of skin problems in unusually severe or persistent forms were early markers for AIDS among 235 patients tracked for three years.

The study said the patients showed these skin problems: Herpes simplex blisters in the rectum and anus, and new warts on the hands, feet and face; extensive fungal infections of the feet; inflammation, redness and blistering that complicated bacterial skin infections such as impetigo around the nose and mouth; inflamed hair follicles in the armpits or elsewhere, and severe seborrheic dermatitis, an oily scaling of the face, scalp and body skin.