I am on the trial drug combination of Atazanavir, Viread, Zerit and Epivir,and oxycodone for my pain. I have had the virus for 18 years, and this was almost my last option for treatment. Since I have been on it (5 months), I have had shingle breakouts, bacterial pnemonias, and these pimple-like blisters on my face, neck, and scalp. They are bumps,(size- dime or nickel equivalent), full of clear fluid, then turning to infectious pus. The area where they appear is very tender and painful. My forehead is the most common place for them to pop up. So I have actually two questions, why am I getting "shingles" every two weeks, when I am undetectable and & my T-cells over 300. Now these "blisters"? I am always going through something, and yet the meds are supposedly working? Thank You, Dave/Roch.,N.Y.

First, I am pleased your new combination is working for you, putting your T cell count in a range where you are no longer susceptible to serious opportunistic infections.

The shingles you are describing are interesting, and may represent what we call "immune reconstitution syndrome". This is where you get increased mainfestations of opportunistic infections associated with a rapid rise in T cell counts when effective therapy is started. Hopefully, this is all you are seeing, and it will pass.

I do not have as clear an answer for the pimples. We should first make sure that it isn't somethng simple, like you've been out in the sun more often wihtout a hat (you did say most of the lesions are on your face, neck and scalp). Also, if you've had these before, what has been used to make them disappear? We also need to think about a reaction to your medications. There are many other causes of pimple-like lesions, too many to discuss here. However, I would say that almost none of them are serious in the long run, and that, with the help of someone like an expert dermatologist (to which I am quite fortunate to have access here in Vancouver), a specific diagnosis could be made, and a simple treatment will most likley be available. You should move on this sooner rather than later, since it seems to be bothering you.

Good Luck!!!