Where Does Shingles Appear

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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 early on?

Is it possible to develop shingles within 3 months of exposure to HIV? I have tested negative at 3 weeks and 10 weeks and developed shingles 3 months after possible exposure via oral sex. I just got tested again (awaiting results). Do HIV related...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

The issue here is that HIV- people can also get shingles, so this episode does not necessarily have to be related to HIV, although it could be.... Read more »

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 »

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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 »

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 »

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