Does Having Herpes Zoster 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

Herpes Zoster and HIV

Hi, I was infected sometime in 2005 and tested positive in October 2005. I am not currently on meds, with a CD4 count of around 500 and VL of around 100K (holding steady here after three sets of labs, each two months apart). I have been feeling ok...

Response from Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D.

Rocky Mountain CARES

Thanks for your post.Everyone focuses on what CD4 count to start treatment. What's forgotten in this discussion is that the value that gets tossed around pertains only to patients who do not have HIV-related symptoms. For HIVers with... Read more »

Herpes Zoster

Hello Dr. Joseph, I have three questions :1-Is Herpes Zoster considered as an HIV-related opportunistic infection?2- Does having frequent recurrence of Herpes Zoster means for sure HIV infection? ( I do have Zoster for 1 year now I am 29 years old...

Response from Joseph McGowan, M.D., F.A.C.P.

North Shore University Hospital

Sorry to hear that you have suffered from herpes zoster (also known as shingles).Although zoster is more likely to occur in people with HIV it is not a condition that indicates AIDS. People without HIV infection also get zoster, and having zoster... Read more »

Herpes zoster

I am on HAART(Truvada + Efavirenz) since january 3 this year. The whole of last week i felt weak and lost appetite. today i had the rash and the doc told me it is the herpes zoster. I started acyclovir 800mg five times a day for a week. why this...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,Herpes zoster and HIV are two completely different viruses. You are taking Truvada and efavirenz to control your HIV infection. That does not preclude you from having a bout of herpes zoster. The acyclovir should help to clear that up. That... Read more »

Cryptococcal Meningitis and Herpes Zoster Case

1. My brother was diagnosed with Cryptococcal meningitis on 6 August 2000. He was prescribed 400mg Diflucan 2 times a day for 7 days plus some pain killers (dyoxpol).2. Two or three days later he started to develop some blisters on the back of his...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

These illnesses are certainly compatible with HIV, and especially with low T cell counts meaning his immune system is severely damaged. He should get an HIV test and T cell subsets (a T cell count) as soon as possible. I would not recommend... Read more »

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swollen lip nd Herpes Zoster

Posted by LLsexyLL, 1 Reply

On Wednesday I was just sitting and chatting with my colleague at work when I felt a funny sensation on the left part of my bottom lip, and then my lip just started swelling . I looked ridiculous like half my lip had been stung by bees. Three hours... Read more »

Herpez Zoster

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Dr. Urkie, o los que sepan, hace unos 4 dias me ha salido en la espalda un herpes zoster recien diagnosticado hoy, estoy con tratamiento de Aciclovir y Ketorolaco; pero lo que me preocupa es que he leido que ese tipo de herpes les dan a los... Read more »

Living with HIV and Herpes

Posted by Anonymous, 3 Replies

Hey

I want to hear from anyone thats living with HIV and Herpes how they have coped with the 2 and whether there is any link to Herpes increasing the rapid progression of HIV? Read more »

Herpes=HIV??!??!

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

I read that people with HIV have more Herpes outbreaks.

I've never had herpes that I know of. Ever. No blisters...anywhere....ever.

Im still paranoid about HIV and now I have this kinda burning/stinging sensation at the corner of my mouth. (on the... Read more »

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