Without A Rash How Can A Doctor Determine If You Have Shingles

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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...

Ask the Experts

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 with past "low risk" exposures (SHINGLES, 2010)

Thanks for reading my question, by the looks of your site you are all VERY busy. My concern is this. I am a 43yo male who has had exposures in my recent past with guys, oral only. I usually just recieve, but on occasion have given. I have never...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,The vast majority of cases of shingles have absolutely nothing to do with HIV/AIDS. See below. Regarding your HIV test results, the CDC guidelines indicate HIV-antibody tests taken prior to the three-month mark are not considered to be... 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 »

Do I need to take another step to determine my status?

Dear Dr. Bob, I read your thoughtful reply to Ms. Smarty Pants. I thought I'd ask your advice on whether I needed to take another step to determine my HIV status. As I have outlined in previous fearful emails, I had a severe and long-lasting...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello Janie,A dozen negative HIV-antibody tests, normal T-cell subsets, undetectable quantitative RNA PCR and qualitative DNA PCR out to 22 years (22 years!!!) and you're still worrying about HIV??? Janie, my dear, you may have just set a new... Read more »

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Shingles = HIV?

Posted by grcboy30, 5 Replies

Hi there.
I had chicken pox at 5 years old so can develop shingles. I haven't been to the doctor yet but have what I am pretty sure is shingles on the side of my chest (a pink rash which is itchy with bumps). I am terrified of HIV. I am only 30... Read more »

SHINGLES -- PLEASE RESPOND

Posted by scaredtodeath, 2 Replies

I hope someone will respond and let me know if I really have something to be worried about. I recently have had sex with two people in the past six weeks. With both guys I performed oral sex on them (without ejaculation) and had protected... Read more »

HIv 2 small rashes

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

I had a positive eliza for HIV 2 indeterminate in February, retested in April positive Eliza negative Western blot. Im not @ risk only 3 partners in my life but im still very worried, my doctor tells me its so rare its highly unlikely that I would... 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 »

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