Is Herpes Zoster Contagious

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

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

hola doctor tengo 26 aos y me diagnosticaron herpes zoster... lo que queria preguntarle es si tiene algo que ver con los primeros sintomas del hiv. quiero decir si por que me salio este herpes podria sealar que me contagie de hiv por favor necesito...

Response from Steven M. Natterstad, M.D.

Frascino Medical Group

Hola,Es verdad que el riesgo de desarrollar herpes zoster en las personas viviendo con VIH es entre 15 y 25 veces ms alto que el de las personas seronegativas. Sin embargo, claro que esto no quiere decir que cada caso de herpes zoster ocurre en una... Read more »

Herpes zoster virus

My daughter was exposed to the chicken pox virus and had a low immune system due to allergies and she did have a very light case of the chicken pox. The virus did stay in her body, we did see outbreaks on her elbow and knee which looks like the...

Response from Katherine Luzuriaga, M.D.

University of Massachusetts, Medical School

Chicken pox is the clinical manifestation of primary (first-time) infection with herpes varicella zoster virus. While the symptoms and signs of chicken pox clear with time, the virus remains with the host for life. The virus takes up residence in... 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

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 »

Go to Ask the Experts »

Connect With Others

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 »

Coinfeccion con Herpes y Periodo Ventana

Posted by Laztana, 1 Reply

Hola,muy buenas,despues de una relacion de riesgo tengo un test vih negativo a las 12 semanas, el tema es que creo que en la
misma relacion me contagie de un herpes labial, el periodo ventana de 3 meses es valido en caso de coinfeccion de herpes y... Read more »

Connect on Our Bulletin Boards »

Tools

My Health Tracker

Assess Your Risk for HIV

Find Local HIV/AIDS Services

Resource Centers

Guides for People With HIV

View All of Our Guides >>