How Long Does Herpes Zoster Last

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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

Hi!I recently (May 15 - May 22) had an episode of Herpes Zoster on my right leg which has left me with a very uncomfortable feeling, sometimes pain, on that side. I understand it could take weeks and even years for it to go away. All the little...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

Sun exposure is not usually a trigger for Herpes zoster (shingles), although I'd advise you to use sunblock giid for both UVA & UVB sun rays so your life isn't complicated by skin cancer (I agree, HIV is quite enough to deal with).I... Read more »

Shingles (herpes zoster)

What is the average amount of time or average T-cell count for shingles to occur after being infected with HIV?...

Response from Rick Sowadsky, M.P.H.

Nevada State Health Division AIDS Program

Thank you for your question.Shingles (also known as herpes zoster) is caused by a reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (the virus that causes chickenpox). There are an estimated 300,000 cases of shingles every year in the USA alone. Shingles... Read more »

Do I have Staph, Shingles, Zoster?

I have a large, boil-like growth on my inner butt-cheek. It's very red & hard (to touch) but has no head for drainage. My Dr. says it's unusual - that it could be staph, shingles or zoster?My Dr. prescribed Bactrim & Rifampin....

Response from David Wohl, M.D.

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

A picture is worth a thousand words and actually seeing this lesion worth even more. Without the benefit of a look, I can only say that a single spot does not shingles make. Shingles comes out in crops of small fluid filled bubbles that burn and... 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 »

Symptoms of ARS compared to Herpes or other STD

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Hello everyone,
Well I'm another that did the irresponsible thing and had unprotected sex, and I have symptoms that are consistent with ARS as well as other STDs. Does anyone know or has anyone had the symptoms of ARS and if so what were they for... Read more »

Genital Herpes???

Posted by sadface, 1 Reply

I have been coming here for a LONG time and have made some great friends along the journey. As you all well know I have OCD when it comes to STD's. So here we go...I am curious about genital herpes. I have read and read but I want to actually talk... Read more »

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