Herpes Zoster or Herpes Simplex

[jmh18683]

So a few days ago a small rash appeared on my chest and I didn't think anything of it until blisters started to form with what appeared to be clear like liquid inside. I went to my doctor and right off the bat she said it looked like Shingles aka Herpes Zoster however, she was on the fence and said it could be Herpes Simplex which really worried me. I don't want either of them of course, but from doing research I have found that Herpes Zoster (Shingles) is much more manageable and usually goes away for good after treatment vs Herpes Simplex where I will have continuous outbreaks for the rest of my life. There is no other area of my body that has this rash and from my understanding Herpes Simplex usually appears on the face, mouth and or genitals where Herpes Zoster usually appears on the body. Either way, I will have results next week, but I'm really nervous and I do not know what to expect. Can anyone offer any insight because from my knowledge I have not been in contact with anyone who has Herpes Simplex, but as for Herpes Zoster I had Chicken Pox when I was a kid. I think it is just weird that if it was Herpes Simplex that it just randomly appeared on my chest.

THANKS!

[jmh18683]

Well I have an appointment on Tuesday and my doctor wants to talk about the results then.In the mean time I am on pain medication and anti viral meds.

[gracefromHHP]

odds are this isn't herpes if it's spreading to your upper arms - either type.

did you call your provider to see if test results are back and to inform her of the further spreading of the rash?

[jmh18683]

Well the rash has been spreading on my chest area, to my upper arms, however, it has not appeared on my face or down below.

[jmh18683]

They were going to, but last minute my doctor thought it might be Herpes Simplex, so she canceled the prescription until she know it was Zoster for sure. I don't think my Immune system has been compromised, but I have been taking an anti fungal medication for a nail fungus problem for the past two to three months. I am 26 and other than that I am healthy however, I have been under a lot of stress lately. I just thought it was weird that it appeared on my chest because I just thought that was usually associated with Herpes Zoster.

I am on pain meds though to help manage the pain until I get the results back next week and I am on an anti viral regime.

[cinnamongirl4]

Did they provide you with a med to prevent post herpetic neuralgia? That will help you not to have lingering pain from the herpes zoster outbreak.

I hope you get a clear answer from your test. My hzoster was painful with only one sore and a dull ache down the spinal area. It is common in any age but mostly older adults or immuned compromised individuals. However I was 28 and healthy just stressed I guess.

[jmh18683]

They took a sample of the infected area. They are painful, but that really doesn't narrow it down because they are painful in both cases. :/

[gracefromHHP]

what testing did they do?

1 out of every 2-3 adults has herpes simplex type 1. odds are you've been in contact with many folks in your lifetime who have had it. you might even have it yourself and now know it.

are these painful blisters?

grace