Do Shingles Mean I Have Hiv

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Get the Facts

Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

What Is Shingles? Shingles is a very painful disease caused by the same herpes virus that causes chicken pox (varicella zoster virus). Like other herpes viruses, the varicella-zoster virus has an initial infectious stage, (chicken pox) followed by a dormant stage. Then, with no warning, the virus becomes active again. About 20% of people who have had chicken pox will eventually develop shingles. This reactivation of the virus is most likely to...

Ask the Experts

Shingles=HIV ? (SHINGLES, 2009)

Hi,i'm 24 and was diagnosed w/ shingles after I developed a small circular rash on my shoulder. I got tested for HIV the same day but I feel like these are longest 2 weeks of my life. I haven't been sick nor have I had any abnormal female...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,Does a routine case of shingles mean HIV??? No. A routine case of shingles means a routine case of shingles and nothing more. See below.Dr. Bobplease dr bob.. 3rd time askin.. am i still freakin or hiv? (SHINGLES)Feb 20, 2008 dr bob.. i have... Read more »

Shingles with past "low risk" exposures (SHINGLES, 2010)

Thanks for reading my question, by the looks of your site you are all VERY busy. My concern is this. I am a 43yo male who has had exposures in my recent past with guys, oral only. I usually just recieve, but on occasion have given. I have never...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,The vast majority of cases of shingles have absolutely nothing to do with HIV/AIDS. See below. Regarding your HIV test results, the CDC guidelines indicate HIV-antibody tests taken prior to the three-month mark are not considered to be... Read more »

Does recurring shingles signify HIV infection?

Does reccuring shingles mean that I am hiv+? we just had a baby and my wife said that she was tested and that it came back negative. We have been together for a little over 2 years. Is that too soon to show up in her or our newborn son? It seems as...

Response from Bruce Dezube, M.D.

Harvard Medical School

Recurring shingles is NOT necessarily a sign of HIV infection. Most patients with shingles do NOT have HIV infection. That said, HIV is more common in HIV-positive patients than in HIV-negative patients. I would highly recommend that you get HIV... Read more »

SHINGLES and HIV

I just found out I am HIV+. I was tested negative a year ago almost exactly. Two months ago I got shingles and am still having pain from them. Is this normal.I am getting blood work done, but does this mean i havea really low Tcell count???...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

In HIV+ people shingles most often occurs when T cell counts are lower than normal, but this does not necessarily mean that they are "really low". (Even HIV- people can get shingles.) The pain can certainly last for a while-- even for... Read more »

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Shingles = HIV?

Posted by grcboy30, 5 Replies

Hi there.
I had chicken pox at 5 years old so can develop shingles. I haven't been to the doctor yet but have what I am pretty sure is shingles on the side of my chest (a pink rash which is itchy with bumps). I am terrified of HIV. I am only 30... Read more »

Shingles_ARS_HIV-

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

I had shingles about a month after a sexual experience. I also had other ars symptoms along with really dark urine. I have tested 3 times for Hep and Hiv- 1 month 6.5 weeks and 9 weeks- all negaitive. My Doc seems sure I have nothing to worry... Read more »

My sister is HIV+ and has shingles

Posted by Anonymous, 3 Replies

I was just wondering if anyone had experience with HIV and shingles. She's been fighting the shingles now for about 5 months and they'll just start to go away and then come back again. She was very thin for a while, but looked really good and had... Read more »

Shingles

Posted by Anonymous, 3 Replies

Someone told me that shingles is one of the first indications of being HIV positive. I had shingles in 2002, and has felt fine since then. Although I do occassionally get dandruff. I had a dermatologist take a scalp sample and he said it was... Read more »

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