Shingles Questions?

[activehiv]

Hey Everyone, does anyone know how one would catch shingles?  My roommate was just diagnoised with shingles and I am not sure how it is transmitted?  Am I at risk (HIV POZ here) of catching it from him?  He is just a room mate we do not sleep with each other.  I also have another room mate that is HIV negative, is he at any risk for catching shingle as well?

Thanks, active

[AndyArrow]

The simple answer if neither of you come in contact with his blister (at the stage when they are oozing) then NO you can not be infected.

Here's a link to a site to answer all your questions.
 http://www.buzzle.com/articles/shingles-disease-contagious.html

Please wish your room mate all the best.  I know how painful shingles can be ... I had an outbreak in August and while the pain is gone the blisters haven't completely disappeared.


Hugs,
AA

[J.R.E.]

Hi,

Here's a good lesson from this site on Shingles (Herpes Zoster)


http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/Shingles_6797.shtml


From that link :

"You cannot transmit shingles to someone who has had chickenpox in the past or has been vaccinated against the varicella-zoster virus. However, the rash that occurs with shingles can “shed” the varicella-zoster virus. Someone who has not had chickenpox or has not been vaccinated against this virus can develop chickenpox if they come into contact with a shingles rash."



Ray

[activehiv]

Thanks for the info Andy and J.R.E.  I really appreciate your help! aloha, active

[hwy11poz]

Shingles certainly can be painful; I had it within a month of being diagnosed positive.

I went to the link mentioned above on buzzle, but I do take issue with one part of a statement: "Generally people in their old age (above 50 years)" - since when is everyone above 50 considered in their old age?

In my family, men tend to live into their 90s. At 46, I consider myself middle-aged, and I will continue to do so until I am way over 60.

I also would like to add my thank-you to the posters of the links on shingles - too many people are uninformed about it.