Acute HIV in an Adolescent Male With Fever and Rhabdomyolysis

We report the case of a young adolescent male who presented with persistent fever and rhabdomyolysis and was ultimately diagnosed with acute HIV. Rhabdomyolysis is an unusual manifestation of acute HIV that has been rarely reported. However, in the absence of another etiology, we propose that HIV should be considered in the differential for rhabdomyolysis, particularly in association with fever and pharyngitis. Young people, especially men who have sex with men of color and younger adolescents, are at increased risk of HIV and may not disclose any sexual history. Opportunities to identify risk factors and test for HIV are often missed in young people. A high level of suspicion and routine screening for HIV is needed in youth, especially in light of the benefits of early diagnosis and treatment of acute HIV. Pre-exposure prophylaxis is highly effective for the prevention of HIV and is underutilized in adolescents.