How Can Herpes Zoster Be Prevented

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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 Vaccine

I have just turned 60 . My cd4 is 1150 , 48%. I have an undetectable viral load. Should I recieve the vaccine for Herpes Zoster or is it contridicted because I am HIV positive...

Response from Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C.

Stanford University, School of Medicine

Yes, you should get the vaccine. A recently completed placebo controlled study in people with HIV infection and CD4 counts >200, demonstrated that the vaccine was safe and antibody titers increased significantly in those who received the real... Read more »

Herpes Zoster -- Treatment Length & Vaccination

Dear SirI am 57 years,diagnosed HIV+ five years ago with CD4 105 and VL over half million. Current regime is Kivexa+Prezista+Norvir. Three weeks ago got my latest three-month test results : CD4 654(30%) and VL Undetectable.A few days ago was...

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

North Shore University Hospital

Trevor,I am sorry about the shingles, hope you heal up quickly.There is no evidence that treating beyond when the lesions are crusted over would add any benefit. It is true that peolpe with immune system problems can have more severe disease with... Read more »

herpes zoster at 14 months?

hi Dr. Frascino,My boyfriend and I have been in a loving and committed relationship for over 5 years now. We are both male and 28 years old. 14 months ago, in a moment of drunkenness, we went to a sex club and my boyfriend received fellatio. The...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

This forum is dedicated to HIV-positive folks, particularly those who have concerns related to fatigue and/or anemia. Questions related to HIV transmission, prevention, safer sex, HIV testing and risk should be sent to Dr. Bob at his "Safe Sex... Read more »

Zoster Breakouts

Hello and thank you for being there for all of us who have so many questions and concerns. My question is this: I very frequently break out with fluid filled "zosters" for lack of a better description. They always appear on my buttocks,...

Response from Douglas T. Dieterich, M.D.

New York University, School of Medicine

This may be zoster, but it may be herpes as well. With the symptoms, it sounds like you should be taking prophylaxis with either acyclovir, famciclovir or valacyclovir. This will prevent breakouts and symptoms. I am assuming that you have had a... 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 »

Any herpes survivors out there??

Posted by Anonymous, 4 Replies

I hope someone is patient enough to bare with me.. I need some guidance from others with herpes. I was diagnosed with hereps 3 years ago. the catch is that when diagnosed i had a pinch size soar and was to small to culture. I had a standard blood... Read more »

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