Acyclovir and herpes zoster
Common Questions and Answers about Acyclovir and herpes zoster
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Cold sores are caused by the Herpes simplex virus type 1 not by Herpes zoster. Yes Herpes zoster can cause skin lesions on the face and eye. But you describe classic cold sore caused by Herpes simplex. It is quite common and about 80% of adults have it. It does go away sooner if you use a topical or pill form of acyclovir. If you really want to know, best to get it cultured. Acyclovir will help clear it up.
A Doctor told me it was disseminated Herpes Zoster. Another one told me it was not Herpes Zoster. However I took acyclovir and pregabalin. The blisters had gone completely but I still have some pain (not constant) in the foot after 4 weeks. Honestly and due the nature and locations of the lesions, I'm not completely sure it was Herpes Zoster. My blood tests were OK, and also no positive HIV.
Hi Dear
What are the signs and symptoms you are experiencing? Shingles (Herpes Zoster) is caused by varicella zoster virus (responsible for causing chicken pox also). Shingles does not occur in the genital areas.
However, a virus belonging to the same family, herpes simplex virus can cause genital herpes involving labia, which is a common and highly contagious disease transmitted from one person to the other through sexual activity.
I have had two outbreaks of Shingles, herpes zoster. My first was when I was in my early 20s and was on my stomach and back on my right side. The second case was last year, age 42, and was on my shoulder, neck, and face right side. This was very uncomfortable and lasted for about 6 months.
I did some research and found out about the immunization, zostavax, for shingles.
My question -
1) The handbook said zostavax is for people over age 60.
This time, however, I had what I thought was an insect bite on my penis shaft that turned into typical herpes blisters within a few days and I had local swollen lymph glands. The blisters turned to scabs a few days later.
I was under the impression that everything should be cleared up within 10 days but these scabs have been hanging around for longer. I only had access to acyclovir after the blisters had scabbed which I understand is too late.
The herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com is free and has the info you need as far as genital herpes.
Definitely it's likely that something that isn't zoster is going on in your arm area area all these years. What I have no idea but suppressive therapy isn't going to help if it's not a herpes infection causing your rash there.
I am a 74 yr old female and have had sacral herpes of buttocks for over 30 yrs. If not severe i do the topical Acyclovir, if severe i get on the Valtrex immediately. The last 4 yrs it has recurred every month or so. It is now eating into my sacral nerves and i have neuralgia. Right now i have lesions and the pain shoots across both sides of the buttocks. It is creating sciatica down my legs.
You should have told me your partner had already seen a dermatologist and that your partner is being treated with acyclovir. The way you asked the question suggested the diagnosis of herpes zoster (shingles) was your partner's suspicion, not a professional diagnosis. It makes a big difference. The dermatologist is the person to ask about diagnostic tests.
That the derm doc recommended acyclovir indicates s/he believed your partner had shingles.
My blood work last week indicates I have not contracted the disease. I have had shingles and recurrent herpes zoster outbreaks on my eyelid. Both were very painful, and I do not wish to add genital herpes to my experience. My questions are: 1. What is the risk of contracting herpes over the long term? I understand the m to f transmission is 10%/year, but how does that translate to multiple years (50% in 5 years?)? 2. Just how bad is this disease?
But i did find out that i have Herpes zoster antibodies ( i had Acyclovir for a week and it came down to 6 - normal levels ).. Normal TsH levels, normal ESR levels ( 12)..
Low ferretin levels, low Vitamin D levels - we had iron & cholocalciferol medications, but did not seems to help.
I never had any other symptoms like swollen lymph glands, or fever or nausea or dizziness or hospitalised etc..
But between Day 70 and Day 73 for 4 days I had taken Acyclovir tablets orally [800 mg x 4 times x 4 days] as advised by a doctor who suspected I had got herpes zoster after some lesion appeared on my belly. I took Acyclovir tablet again for 3 days [800 mg x 4 times x 3 days] between Day 77 and Day 79.
My questions:
1. I found some 2010 US research reports that suggest that Acyclovir taken orally brings down the HIV viral load. Here's one related report: http://news.bbc.co.
Herpes Simplex 1 and 2 can BOTH cause neuropathic pain syndromes. It is not limited to herpes zoster. There is plenty of research out there about it. I cannot understand why MDs are still ignorant of this or denying the association, when there is ample material in the literature documenting this problem. HSV infections are epidemic. It's time for primary care physicians to get current on the subclinical (not visually observable) and atypical (non-standard) manifestations of the disease.
Well, this is a year later but it definitely sounds like Shingles, ladyscared.
Herpes tests aren't conclusive. A negative result on a herpes test doesn't mean you don't have it. If you ever had chicken pox, you have herpes zoster (shingles virus) in your system. But unless you are having an outbreak, you will test negative for herpes zoster. Same with herpes 1 and herpes 2. So someone who has genital or oral herpes will test negative if they don't have an outbreak.
I could be just the luck of the draw and nothing to be concerned about at all, but I would observe carefully and if it comes back again, then have the rash swab tested for herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus to see which is causing the rash. If nothing recurs, there is nothing to be concerned about.
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