Zoster or HSV 2 look like - Bell's Palsy Message Board

novembersea · 01-20-2008, 09:35 PM

I went to urgent care two weeks ago, I had a rash in my upper buttcrack. They said looks like herpes. It healed within a week and I went to my GP when it was healed, but she could see the remaining scarring. She said it looks like herpes zoster, I said herpes or zoster, she said they are "treated" the same with the same drugs. Do these look the same? I am confused. I am awaiting a blood test to see what it shows up (she said if it made me feel better to get a test, I of course said YES). It was 2 months since my last sexual relationship, (not the avg 2-20 days to contract) so just hope she didn't get my hopes and just used "zoster" as a general term. I know that is a chickenpox virus/Shingles.

Has anyone had a dr diagnose visually this same scenario?

matter of time · 01-21-2008, 06:42 AM

My boss is bald and I noticed what looked like herpes on his head. He did not know what it was and I just said "It looks like a virus"..Turned out it was shingles and they gave him valtex for it. He still has faded scar.

I did not want to volunteer that I had herpes 2 and it looked the same LOL.

novembersea · 01-21-2008, 09:13 AM

Well I had Bell's Palsy last May, so wonder if it is Zoster since they are related.

Ornament · 01-21-2008, 12:40 PM

I believe that Bell's Palsy and Herpes Zoster are different strains of the herpes virus, which there are many different strains - depending on their location. Do an internet search on Herpes Strains and you should find the answers, that you're looking for.
Good Luck, -Ornament

novembersea · 01-21-2008, 02:58 PM

Well my test came back positive for HSV 1, but HSV 2, it was .15 which is too low, but my IGM antibodies were high, which means recent or recurring infection but does not detect which strain and "could" be zoster or 1 or 2. I would have to test again in 4 weeks or so to check if HSV 2 develops into IGG. I just called the lab, so I basically am "negative" for the 2, which is genital, but have to do more research on the 1. I am still waiting the Zoster test. It was not complete yet. : (