[Question #11344] zoster, advanced hiv?
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15 months ago
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Hi Doctors, I was recently diagnosed with herpes zoster. The doctor that saw me mentioned that this usually happens due to a weak inmune system and asked me to do some blood tests being very emphatic about doing hiv testing. SInce I have a risky lifestyle, sleeping with 3-5 high end escorts per year, altough absolutely always using a condom for vaginal sex and asking the escorts if they are healthy, I am terrified that I have hiv. Besides the zoster I have some colds from time to time, but I am healthy, have appetite and have not lost weight. I have not been tested in around 3 years.
My questions are: is the zoster indicative of advanced hiv? 2) if it is does is usually come together with other symptoms? 3) what are the combination of symptoms of avanced hiv that one should notice? what is the usual manifestation of advanced hiv?
I plan to get tested in the coming days but I am truly panicking.
thanks for your many years of service.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
15 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum and thanks for your questions. I'll be glad to comment and provide some information.
Persons with weakened immune systems are at slightly increased risk for Herpes zoster but most people who get zoster are no immunosuppressed and Herpes zoster is rather uncommon in persons with HIV.. If you could provide a little additional information it will provide some context for further comments.. Specifically, how old are you, do you haver any chronic illnesses, and do you take and medications which much weaken your immune system.
Herpes zoster is reactivation of the virus which causes chicken pox which most people have in their bodies- either because they had chicken pox as a child or, for the past 35 years, because they received the chicken pos vaccine. Herpes zester occurs when the virus which resides quietly in the body reactivates. Most people who get zoster DO NOT have HIV- for the majority it is just bad luck although aging and immunosuppression do somewhat increase the risk for reactivation. With that as background:
1. is the zoster indicative of advanced hiv?
No, certainly not although your doctor did the right thing to suggest testing
2) if it is does is usually come together with other symptoms?
Zoster in persons with and without HIV is usually an isolated event
3) what are the combination of symptoms of avanced hiv that one should notice? what is the usual manifestation of advanced hiv?
The 3 years since your last test is too soon to hae advanced HIV. Further,, the nature of your partners (high end CSWs and to condom use makes it unlikely that you have acquired HIV. Rather than worry about the advanced manifestations of HIV, I suggest you get tested. I anticipate that your test will show that you do not have HIV.
Finally, I urge you to stay off the internet. It will only fuel your anxiety with the abundance f incorrect and misleading statements which will be found there. Just get tested. EWH
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15 months ago
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Hi Doctor, i am 40 and do not take any medications nor have any chronic disease. I will want to understand to main symptoms of advanced hiv if possible. I will get tested in the coming days, maybe even today.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
15 months ago
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There are no "main symptoms" of HIV. If you have symptoms I will be happy to comment on whether or not they are sometimes associated with HIV. Having 3-5 partners per year who are commercial sex workers does not put you at particularly high risk for HIV. Since you state that you were last tested about 3 years ago, if you had HIV, your infection would not have become advanced as yet- typically it takes 8-10 years for persons with HIV to begin to become ill from their infection. Your regular condom use with casual partners makes your risk for HIV low. It is unlikely from what you say that your herpes zoster is related to an HIV infection.
My advice is unchanged. Get an HIV test- it will prove that you do not have HIV and you can move on. EWH
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14 months ago
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Hi Doctor, tested negative. Thank you for your sound advice and great service.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
14 months ago
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Thank you for the follow up. I appreciate you sharing your test results. I trust you will now move forward without concern. This thread will be closed. Take care. EWH.---