Can VZV cause the Long Covid/mecfs symptoms?

[trab]

I got Long Covid since january 2022 and i experience 3 years all the CFS symptoms. But In may 2024 i experienced a big shingle on my leg. The doctor said it was vzv, but we didnt think about the connection with long covid. With cream, the shingle dissapeared. But the fatigue/pem/eye fatigue/dysautonomia remains. Is it possible that the vzv causes the symptoms since 2022 and maybe became visibly active in 2024? I 100 procent sure i got covid then, but is it possible that the vzv was reactivated immediatly without knowing? Please share your knowledge or experience

 

[Learner1]

Is it possible that the vzv causes the symptoms since 2022 and maybe became visibly active in 2024? I 100 procent sure i got covid then, but is it possible that the vzv was reactivated immediatly without knowing? Please share your knowledge or experience

Yes, getting covid could cause reactivation of herpes viruses, including vzv. Any insult to your immune system could cause this.

For example, I have had PCR positive reactivations of either ebv or hhv6 or both after:

• Covid vaccine
• Dental surgery
• Cataract surgery
• Cancer treatment

It quite a battle, and has taken high dose long-term valgancyclovir sometimes with the addition of famciclovir, then tenofovir, to beat it back.

Additionally, typical antibody tests are not always successful, as these viruses can be hiding. Repeating tests, or in case you may not be making antibodies when you should be, doing PCR tests or biopsies can find the offending virus.

Or you can just try treatment with an appropriate antiviral, best at a higher dose for a significant period of time, since your situation seems to be long-term.

 

[trab]

Thank you for your reply. So you suggest valtrex alone? Because multiple is hard for the kidney i think. So all this covid misery could ‘just’ be a VZV reactivation back in 2022 caused by covid. Are could covid also be a driver of symptoms?

 

[trab]

also my main question is: how is it possible that the vzv was visible in 2024 and not sooner?

 

[Learner1]

Thank you for your reply. So you suggest valtrex alone? Because multiple is hard for the kidney i think. So all this covid misery could ‘just’ be a VZV reactivation back in 2022 caused by covid. Are could covid also be a driver of symptoms?

I said to use the appropriate antiviral. In my case, my insurance wouldn't pay for valtrex (valacyclovir) at the dose my doctor wanted, but would pay for valcyte (valgancyclovir), which I took at 1.8g or 950mg per day for most of 5 years. Then that wasn't enough, I kept having HSV2 outbreaks, too, so my doctor asked famvir (famciclovir). Finally, he switched me to tenofovir, and I haven't had a problem since. You have to figure out what you're fighting and hit it for long enough with enough force to beat it back.

Multiple what is hard for the kidney?

My doctor had me do "safety labs" (a complete metabolic panel, or CMP) monthly, while on valcyte, but I didn't really have a problem - the reputation is because it's been used on cancer and AIDS patients, who are weakened.

You could have multiple things going on. (I had 7 infections when I finally got help.)

Yes, COVID may still be lurking. Hopefully not. Yes, it could have triggered VZV reactivation. But maybe other viral reactivation, too - something like 95% of people have had EBV, so that could be a factor, too, as well as HHV6 and/or HHV7.

also my main question is: how is it possible that the vzv was visible in 2024 and not sooner?

Many of us develop "exhausted T cells" which eventually aren't protecting us enough. Once they get tired, things can snowball...

 

[trab]

Multiple what is hard for the kidney?

multiple anti virals. And i thought valcyte was pretty harsh for the body. But you have had the experience so I believe you.

Many of us develop "exhausted T cells" which eventually aren't protecting us enough. Once they get tired, things can snowball...

But I got the symptoms around 2 weeks after covid. Can the T-cell exhaustion go that fast? Thats why i ask the question if VZV can cause fatigue. My fatigue is constant 3 years and 2 years later i got that indication shingle. After the shingle my fatigue isnt worse

 

[trab]

Yes, COVID may still be lurking. Hopefully not. Yes, it could have triggered VZV reactivation. But maybe other viral reactivation, too - something like 95% of people have had EBV, so that could be a factor, too, as well as HHV6 and/or HHV7.

Indeed hopefully not. I read that you need 16 times the negative Igg right?

 

[Hip]

ME/CFS due to varicella zoster virus is the only curable form of this illness. It can be cured with acyclovir in a few weeks. See this thread.