POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: darryaz on September 03, 2013, 01:33:58 pm
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My dad just returned from his doctor's office and has been told he has shingles.
Anyone have any advice on avoiding it? My CD-4 is over 700 so I'm sure I'm not at any more risk than the average person. But from what I've heard it's really unpleasant so I'd love to steer clear of it. Dad lives here so I can't completely avoid HIM.
I haven't had the vaccination but have read it's only 50% effective anyway. Might consider it though.
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From Web MD .
Shingles is contagious and can be spread from an affected person to babies, children, or adults who have not had chickenpox. But instead of developing shingles, these people develop chickenpox. Once they have had chickenpox, people cannot catch shingles (or contract the virus) from someone else. Once infected, however, people have the potential to develop shingles later in life.
Shingles is contagious to people who have not previously had chickenpox, as long as there are new blisters forming and old blisters healing. Similar to chickenpox, the time prior to healing or crusting of the blisters is the contagious stage of shingles. Once all of the blisters are crusted over, the virus can no longer be spread and the contagious period is over.
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Thanks, Jeff. That's good to know. I HAVE had chickenpox so I won't worry.
Mom is grateful for the clarification as well. :D
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I feel for your dad . I have had shingles a couple of times and there is no sugar coating the fact that it sucks big time .
Just try to keep him comfortable and see your doctor asap if the blisters migrate towards the eye or ears .
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They're already close to his eyes. The primary-care doctor sent him to an ophthalmologist. :(
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They're already close to his eyes. The primary-care doctor sent him to an ophthalmologist. :(
I see ... it sounds like he is getting excellent care and they are on top of it , that's something bright in a dismal situation .
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My dad just returned from his doctor's office and has been told he has shingles.
Anyone have any advice on avoiding it? My CD-4 is over 700 so I'm sure I'm not at any more risk than the average person. But from what I've heard it's really unpleasant so I'd love to steer clear of it. Dad lives here so I can't completely avoid HIM.
I haven't had the vaccination but have read it's only 50% effective anyway. Might consider it though.
darryaz, I don't have quite as good of a CD-4 count as you and at least once a month I encounter people with Shingles. Most are Cancer survivors and to have this after what they have been through is tough. I abide by the standards for Universal Precautions for BBP until their leasons have crusted over. After that I relax just a bit.
Billy B
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I had shingles once about 12 years ago, which did go into my eyes. I couldn't drive during the daytime and it took close to a month to clear up.