What Are The Causes Of Recurring Shingles

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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

Does recurring shingles signify HIV infection?

Does reccuring shingles mean that I am hiv+? we just had a baby and my wife said that she was tested and that it came back negative. We have been together for a little over 2 years. Is that too soon to show up in her or our newborn son? It seems as...

Response from Bruce Dezube, M.D.

Harvard Medical School

Recurring shingles is NOT necessarily a sign of HIV infection. Most patients with shingles do NOT have HIV infection. That said, HIV is more common in HIV-positive patients than in HIV-negative patients. I would highly recommend that you get HIV... Read more »

shingles... - JB

dear doc jb, can a newly hiv+ infected person could develop shingles or chicken pox in couple of months or years or ahead, EVEN if that person had already experienced that shingles or chicken pox during his childhood days??? Hope for your kind...

Response from John A. Bartlett, M.D.

Duke University Medical Center

Yes, the virus which causes chicken pox, known as varicella zoster virus, causes shingles when it reactivates. Persons with HIV can definitely develop shingles at any point during their HIV infection. Shingles can also recur in persons with HIV. If... Read more »

Shingles=HIV ? (SHINGLES, 2009)

Hi,i'm 24 and was diagnosed w/ shingles after I developed a small circular rash on my shoulder. I got tested for HIV the same day but I feel like these are longest 2 weeks of my life. I haven't been sick nor have I had any abnormal female...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,Does a routine case of shingles mean HIV??? No. A routine case of shingles means a routine case of shingles and nothing more. See below.Dr. Bobplease dr bob.. 3rd time askin.. am i still freakin or hiv? (SHINGLES)Feb 20, 2008 dr bob.. i have... Read more »

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 »

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