Topical Solution For Shingles

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

Shingles Starting Treatment & Queen Issues (SHINGLES AND HIV, 2009) (WHEN TO START ANTIRETROVIRAL TREATMENT, 2009)

Hi Dr Bob, Three weeks ago I came down with Shingles. A small patch on the back of my neck and a little across my chest all on the left side. I went to my local GP and he gave me Valtrex ( the 7 day shingle pack)Since then the pain has...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

G'day Aussie Drew,Relax mate! Approximately 95% of healthy adults are seropositive for varicella zoster virus (VZV), the virus that causes shingles. Of this 95%, about 5% of healthy adults develop zoster (shingles). The risk for those of us... Read more »

itching from shingles

What meds can I apply to stop the itch of shingles. I've already taken my 5 day antibiotic treatment and am still applying the zovirax on my back, but the itch is intense. What can I do? ...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

One issue about your situation is whether you simply have itching from where the rash was versus post-herpetic nerve irritation (that can occur after shingles). Itching can often be relieved by topical steriods (ie cortisone), antihistamines, or... Read more »

Response from Graeme Moyle, M.D.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

The shingle vaccine, Zostavax, is approved for use in people 60 years old and older to prevent shingles. This is a one-time vaccination. Zostavax does not treat shingles or post-herpetic neuralgia. It has not been fully studied in persons with HIV.... Read more »

Repeated shingles/right side neuropathy

I am 48, male; seroconverted 1982, with a body rash, mono-like symptoms, righ side neuropathy and sweats, all lasting 3 months plus.Have been on medication since 1985. Current viral load undetectable, T4 count around 500, around 20%.Have suffered...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

Sounds like you have post-herpetic neuralgia which can be very painful and persistent. Seeing a pain specialist may be a good idea (they may try drugs like amitryptiline, neuronton, topical xylocaine or capsaicin, nerve blocks-etc as well as... Read more »

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Not a HIV topic, but I am sad.

Posted by sadface, 8 Replies

Hi family,
Well, I got some disturbing news today. My friends son killed himself. He was 25. He hung himself, I guess he was pretty intoxicated when he did it. It makes my heart just ache so bad for his mom, dad and little brother. WHY WHY WHY??... Read more »

Can I get Shingles from another Poz guy if I had ?

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Can I get shingles from another poz person even if I already had them myself in the past??? 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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