STI: HIV and seborrhoeic dermatitis: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dermatology · STI: HIV and seborrhoeic dermatitis

Sample item

A young man has severe, extensive seborrhoeic dermatitis resistant to usual therapy and recurrent oral thrush. Which test is most appropriate?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. HIV serology

Sudden severe or refractory seborrhoeic dermatitis, along with recurrent candidiasis, can be an early sign of HIV infection. Voluntary counselling and testing is recommended in India. It is not a typical sign of connective tissue disease.

Option by option

  • A. Thyroid function tests

    Thyroid disease does not explain severe dermatitis with thrush.

  • B. Anti-nuclear antibody

    ANA is not indicated by this picture.

  • C. HIV serology (correct)

    Correct. Refractory seborrhoeic dermatitis with thrush should prompt HIV testing.

  • D. Serum ferritin

    Ferritin addresses iron stores.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Dermatology questions

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is C, HIV serology. Sudden severe or refractory seborrhoeic dermatitis, along with recurrent candidiasis, can be an early sign of HIV infection.

Why is "Thyroid function tests" not the answer?

Thyroid disease does not explain severe dermatitis with thrush.

Why is "Anti-nuclear antibody" not the answer?

ANA is not indicated by this picture.

Why is "Serum ferritin" not the answer?

Ferritin addresses iron stores.

What concept does this question test?

It tests STI: HIV and seborrhoeic dermatitis in Dermatology. Voluntary counselling and testing is recommended in India. It is not a typical sign of connective tissue disease.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study STI: HIV and seborrhoeic dermatitis?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.