What Do Shingles Look Like When They First Start

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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...

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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 »

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 »

Hiv and Shingles (SHINGLES)

Hi Dr Bob,This site has to be the most humerous HIV site in the world - very refreshing. Anyway, here's my story. 6 months ago I made the biggest, drunken mistake of my life and had protected (condom), vaginal sex with a sex worker in a...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi Very Worried Young Man, (SHINGLES)This type of shingles question comes up so frequently it's become a QTND (Question That Never Dies) and now has an ATNC (Answer That Never Changes). See below. Your worries are unwarranted. However, your... 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, 2 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 »

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 »

Starting meds for the first time.

Posted by glowstixboyoh, 15 Replies

Hi everyone. I am a little angry right now. I was diagnosed poz on march first of this year. I just got my lab results back and people think I should start meds. Its seems to them the virus is newly aquired, but it also looks like my immune... Read more »

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