What Do I Do When My Shingles Start To Scab

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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

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 »

Shingles or Syphilis?

Hello everyone, a friend of mine has started breaking out with Rashes on one side of his body. It started with two bumps on his back. As they were healing, it had honey colored crust around the scabs. When they finally healed, a cluster of small...

Response from Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D.

Rocky Mountain CARES

Hi,Sounds like your friend has shingles. Shingles is one of the very few things that causes a rash only on one side of the body.He should get in contact with his doctor or urgent care center.BY... Read more »

Shingles & high viral load should I start HIV meds

Hi,I have a high viral load(400,000),CD4 at 359 and have reoccurring shingles.My viral load had been lower so I was not taking HIV meds.I am ready to take HIV meds but shingles recently broke out!Can I start HIV meds for high viral load and shingles...

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

Stanford University, School of Medicine

You could do both at the same time.MH... Read more »

Recently stopped meds(2 weeks ago), starting to get "things", ie:(shingles, thrush, etc.)

I recently stopped meds due to, too many side effects. However, I am scared now because of the fact that I have had a breakout of shingles(w/ great dibilitating pain), on my left buttocks. I have had shingles at least 11 x's during my 20 yrs...

Response from Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D.

Rocky Mountain CARES

Dear Dave in Rochester, In general, I wouldn't necessarily tie the discontinuation of your HIV medications with the onset of shingles-- not an absolute, but it be less usual.On the other hand, discontinuation of your preventive acyclovir can... Read more »

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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 tboy, 3 Replies

last week I was diagnosed with shingles. I didn't get nearly the attention of the doctors or information I needed. Oh sure I recieved a prescription but not much information. I'm taking acyclovir (sp?) It is painful to sleep and my leg looks... Read more »

shingle will happen twice or more?

Posted by JHIV130306, 3 Replies

help!!! i had shingle few weeks ago but it seems recovered,however,i today felt that i have the same symptom of developing shingle the other side of my body!!! will this happen this way? anyone had this situation before? please~~~~i'm so... Read more »

Oral sex with a young guy who has shingles

Posted by Anonymous, 3 Replies

Hey folks, at 36 & recently out of a gay, eight year monogamous relationship I have reentered the dating scene. I've been sexually active with a 28 year old male in the last several weeks, and he was diagnosed with a case of shingles last week.... Read more »

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