The Body: The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource
Sign up for free e-mail updates!The Body en Espanol
Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.

The participation of Dr. Ewald Horwath in this Forum is made possible by Boehringer Ingelheim.

Ask the Experts about Mental Health and HIV
Recent AnswersAsk a Question

 

shingles
May 26, 2006

Hi I have a question about shingles. My partner and I have been together 5 years and we are both hiv positive, and two weeks ago we had anal sex and I ejackulated in him and then 1 day later he got shingles, he went to the doctor and got on medicine and it cleared up, now yesterday we had sex again and I ejaculated in him again and today he has shingles. So my questions is can I be a carrier if shingles and be passing it to him? Thanks for takeing the time to answer this. I know we should be protecting ourselves.

Response from Dr. Horwath

You cannot give your partner shingles. It is a infection caused by a virus that is dormant inside nerve cells. With an immune impairment such as that caused by HIV, the virus becomes reactivated and causes the painful skin eruption known as shingles.

Even though you are both positive, you should use condoms during sex. Being HIV+ does not protect you from harm that can be caused by your partners strain of virus. Use protection during sex.



Terms of Use
Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.

Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their messages.

Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.

Copyright notice.