Cold sores

[Souledout]

3 months after diagnosis and I've had 3 cold sores. Latest one causing herpetic conjunctivitis (I'm sat in the eye hospital right now, waiting to be seen - quite bored). Anyone else had similar problems? I know all I can do is try not to get run down, which I definitely have done over Christmas.

Also does anybody have any ideas on how this could impact my viral load if I'm not on meds? Some examples would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Anqueetas]

I think it is a sign of weaken immune system from HIV infection. If this keep reoccur, consider getting ARV for your HIV could be your salvation, however treating HIV is a life long commitment and I think you should mentally ready to do so, because adherence is so important when it come to ARV.

I have to same thing before I get my HIV infection under control, I got frequent month sore but it went away and only come back when I don't get enough sleep after my viral load went undetectable and my CD4 rise significantly.


Hope you get better soon

[Ann]

Cold sores are herpes. You can read about herpes, including how to treat it, here.

There is some evidence that taking acyclovir (the drug used to treat herpes) as a prophylactic to prevent outbreaks has some anti-hiv benefits as well. You can read more about that here.

I've been taking acyclovir as a prophylactic for years now and it's very effective, without side effects and inexpensive (at least the generic form is inexpensive). Talk to you doctor about it.

[Souledout]

Thanks Ann, I did see that a while back but you reminded me. I'll look into it. Just called the clinic to talk to them, waiting on the return call - I'll ask about the possibilities of taking acyclovir.

They're now not sure whether it's the cold sore virus or shingles, they took a swab yesterday to test. Joy. In the meantime I'm on acyclovir tablets and it already seems to have calmed down a bit compared to yesterday, probably just the natural course of the outbreak though.

Really don't want to leave the house or go back to work on Monday because of it and it's kind of knocked my mental state a bit - it.s my first proper illness since diagnosis. Not helped that my boyfriend hasn't had chicken pox so he's got to stay clear of me.

[ivanhiv]

Try acyclovir,it may help at the begining

[Souledout]

After a little research it seems that one of the side effects from the pimecrolimus cream I was on recently for eczema is the outbreak of eczema herpeticum. Eczema and herpes simplex virus teaming up to do me in. Got a dermatology appointment next month so will discuss it all then. Joy, another skin condition.