When Does The Rash Appear With 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

is it shingles

For ten years I have had bouts of severe pain on my torso,followed by a rash.Doctors said it was shingles others said the rash is not relative to shingles.I have had it about twenty five times over ten years and it occurs on both sides.when the pain...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

Shingles usually occurs on only one side of the body, and does not cross the midline on either the front or bacl of your body. Sometimes, shingles can be "disseminated", meaning it appears all over the body instead of in a more limited... Read more »

Should I be taking any medication for shingles?

Hi, Thank you for any help you may provide. I was recently diagnosed as being HIV+. My T-cell count is around 680. I have recently been feeling some itching which led to scabbing on my buttocks. My inner thighs had the same blisters which now...

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

Rocky Mountain CARES

Thanks for your post.It can be pretty difficult to diagnose the cause of rash from the internet. If the rash is on both sides of your body (or scrotum), it's usually not shingles.Before one talks about medications, the real issue would be to... Read more »

Shingles ? Please help, suffering.

I recently had unprotected sex , i am a female. i know it was stupid , but i was drinking, no excuse. I did not know this man very well, but he was nice , seemed healthy and claimed he used to be pre-med. About seven days after the incident, I...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

Actually, what you have sounds more like herpes simplex-- a related virus-- than shingles. See a doctor for a definitive diagnosis. If/when viesicles appear, they can be tested for these 2 viruses (HSV and VZV). You may also benefit from... 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 »

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shingles?

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

i had a sexual encounter yesterday with a guy who appeared to have shingles. when i asked him he said it was eczema, which i did not argue, but while changing him in sexual positions i did noticed that the shingles were in his ankles, and other body... Read more »

ARS symptoms always appear?

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

If i had a risky exposure on July 5th, would i experience any symptoms by now if i were seroconverting to HIV+. I had an experience with a prostitute (protected) and immediately after i lost my appetite for about a week, i lost about 10lbs. But i... Read more »

Rashes, rashes and more rashes...

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

OK...what does the rash associated with ARS appear as? Like an allergic reaction type rash or something real severe, and spread out over the body...

Read more »

Don't let rashes fool you

Posted by adams1, 4 Replies

Okay, so about a week ago I was curious about whether I could have been infected with HIV years ago and never knew it. My ultimate scare was a rash that appeared on my outer thigh. When I went to the doctor, he told me it looked like Shingles. He... Read more »

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