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Shingles Symptoms in Healthy Adult
So, I had unprotected sex (not the whole of it, just few minutes) about 3 weeks back. I have itchy skin and rashes on my abdomen, arms and thighs (nothing on the genital area) for some days. I have my dermatologist appointment next to next week. In the meanwhile, I looked through the net to see what it could be and shingles symptoms match ~100% with my situation.
I haven't had any other health issue and have had perfect health (I'm M, 25). Further net search tells me that I could get Shingles only if I'm 50+ or have immune system compromised, major reason cited is HIV. I have signed up for a HIV test later this week as well, but this period inbetween is just killing me. I can't focus on anything else.
If it is Shingles, does this mean it has to be HIV?? Help! (I understand that this has been answered before, but every case is unique so I'm trying to get input on mine. Help will be highly appreciated. Thanks again)
This discussion is related to shingles at 28.
I haven't had any other health issue and have had perfect health (I'm M, 25). Further net search tells me that I could get Shingles only if I'm 50+ or have immune system compromised, major reason cited is HIV. I have signed up for a HIV test later this week as well, but this period inbetween is just killing me. I can't focus on anything else.
If it is Shingles, does this mean it has to be HIV?? Help! (I understand that this has been answered before, but every case is unique so I'm trying to get input on mine. Help will be highly appreciated. Thanks again)
This discussion is related to shingles at 28.
Hello HowardH,
I'm still waiting on my test results. While I haven't posted anything here (coz I understand I shouldn't bug you much) but have been going through heights of anxiety.
Since yesterday, my occipital and cervical (the ones on the rear neck, back of head) lymph nodes are visibly swollen. I've checked online about what infections could cause those and don't seem to have either. (I can't feel any other nodes). Also, I woke up with a mild night sweat today.
How much should I be worried with these??
I'm still waiting on my test results. While I haven't posted anything here (coz I understand I shouldn't bug you much) but have been going through heights of anxiety.
Since yesterday, my occipital and cervical (the ones on the rear neck, back of head) lymph nodes are visibly swollen. I've checked online about what infections could cause those and don't seem to have either. (I can't feel any other nodes). Also, I woke up with a mild night sweat today.
How much should I be worried with these??
Just returned from the GP appointment. On the positive side, he said that he doesn't see these rashes as HIV rashes, which are more concentrated on face, neck and chest area and are generally accompanied with mouth sores/ulcers. Otherwise he said that he can't obviously rule out anything until tests do so, but his initial assessment is that it might not be HIV.
Gave 10 tubes of blood for all sorts of STD/STI/other tests, including 4th gen AG/AB HIV test (which he said should be very accurate even at 2 weeks). Results will be out early next week. *fingers crossed* :)
Gave 10 tubes of blood for all sorts of STD/STI/other tests, including 4th gen AG/AB HIV test (which he said should be very accurate even at 2 weeks). Results will be out early next week. *fingers crossed* :)
"Zoster may occur at any time in the course of HIV-induced immunosuppression, and may be the first clinical clue to suggest undiagnosed HIV infection. An episode of zoster in a young individual warrants consideration of underlying HIV infection."
Standard medical practice says exactly the same thing about any of 30 or more common illnesses. Unexplained fever, an episode of pneumonia, and many others -- all would "warrant consideration of underlying HIV infection". Trust me on this, I know what I'm talking about: For every thousand people presenting with the medical problems you describe, no more than one of them (probably none) would turn out to have a newly acquired HIV infection.
You are spending too much time on line, and lack the medical training necessary to put what you find in context, and your anxieties are further inflating whatever bad news you think you read and ignoring the reassuring bits. I stand by all my preceding comments and advice and suggest you re-read everything.
That's my last comment unless and until you want to report back after you have seen the dermatologist and/or have had HIV testing -- which, by the way, you could do now with 100% reliable results with an HIV combo (antigen-antibody) test.
Standard medical practice says exactly the same thing about any of 30 or more common illnesses. Unexplained fever, an episode of pneumonia, and many others -- all would "warrant consideration of underlying HIV infection". Trust me on this, I know what I'm talking about: For every thousand people presenting with the medical problems you describe, no more than one of them (probably none) would turn out to have a newly acquired HIV infection.
You are spending too much time on line, and lack the medical training necessary to put what you find in context, and your anxieties are further inflating whatever bad news you think you read and ignoring the reassuring bits. I stand by all my preceding comments and advice and suggest you re-read everything.
That's my last comment unless and until you want to report back after you have seen the dermatologist and/or have had HIV testing -- which, by the way, you could do now with 100% reliable results with an HIV combo (antigen-antibody) test.
Thank you. I'm trying to collect information about my medical history (not sure if I had chickenpox or the vaccine during childhood). But in either case, seemingly dependable webpages like http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/insite?page=kb-00&doc=kb-05-03-01 mention that "Zoster may occur at any time in the course of HIV-induced immunosuppression, and may be the first clinical clue to suggest undiagnosed HIV infection. An episode of zoster in a young individual warrants consideration of underlying HIV infection. "
*Keeping my fingers crossed for the test tomorrow (though it'll be a 4-week test from the last incident)*
*Keeping my fingers crossed for the test tomorrow (though it'll be a 4-week test from the last incident)*
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
