Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 12/1/2008

Question
My Partner has had HIV now for about 20 years.  He is under a HUGE HUGE stess with is very successful business with the economy.  He has had a HUGE outbreak of Shingles all over the upper right 1/2 of his back and under arm and chest.  It is spreading slowly and getting worse over the last 4 days.   1)  is this from stress   or 2) advanced stages of HIV  or 3) from being infected from unsafe sex with someone else.  (have my suspecions)
He will not discuss his last few Dr's visits, and I personally feel he is on a 'time frame' by his actions.  he still appears healthy, but is TIRED 24/7
Recommendations.

Answer
This is not something that I can really answer- you would have to find this information out from his doctor, and that is only if he wants to share it with you.

I can tell you that 1 and 2 are related. Stress can lower the immune system which can lead to infections, as well as advancing HIV. There is no way I can determine what has caused his outbreak of shingles. I can tell you that it is not sexually transmitted.