Herpes Zoster and HIV

[Praneeth]

Hi,

I have a question regarding my Hiv status.

I had an sexual unprotected with a woman whom I met on a day and she looked healthy.It was in the year 1999. Also I had multiple unprotected sex with my girl friend( who is ex now) in the year 2001. I enquire about my ex girl friend and she seems to be happily married and having kids.(Not sure if she tested or not).

After that I married in 2002 and have a 7 years old kid. My wife and kid doesn't have any symptoms. But in Novemebr 2012, I'm suffered with Herpes Zoster and i visited Dermatologist and doctor gave me valacyclovir tablets for a week (3 per day). It got healed without any issues. Doctor told me it may be due to stress. I was little stressed during that time due to the my Job move and not liking the new Job.. But not sure that causes herpes Zoster/shingles.

I was going thru internet and found that Herpes Zoster is initial or 3 rd stage of HIV. So I'm so scared to test it. I just wanted to know if I'm still infected with HIV after 13 years of encounter. Apart from Herpes Zoster, I felt like I lost 4 Lbs (I was 170 LBs and now 166).. I'm not really sure abt the weight as I checked on digital and needle scales.. Needle scale shows 171 and digital shows 166. Apart from that I dont ahve any other symptoms after Herpes Zoster Attach. So I just wanted to know if still need to be worried about HIV. Please doctor help me to understand.

Thanks,

[Praneeth]

Thank you for you response. It helped me to take the oral HIV test(OraQuick) and it came out Negative.I understand that Shingles has nothing to do with HIV.
But Just wanted to check if I can relay on OraQuick result for HIV or do I need to go through the Blood test for HIV?

Appreciate your response

[Teak]

Shingles have nothing to do with HIV even though people with HIV are more susceptible, but like with all people the only way to get shingles is by having had chickenpox's sometime in your life and not everyone that gets shingles has HIV or AIDS.