herpes or folliculitis?

[missssssie]

I was diagnosed with herpes 1 about 10 years ago - which I got from my husband in college and didnt have my first primary outbreak until i was 25 (but i always burned down there before the outbreak - I have it genitally.  I only get a very few pint-point blister around my lips.  My last partner after my divorce was ok with out using protection.  He penis did touch other parts of my body (ie face & chest) over the years.  I do not know if he ever got it from me or not.  I assume so.  Well now i break out with something on my face, chest, neck, arms & legs.  My breakouts genitally are almost nill - i only get burning there.  Well - this last break out was unusal.  I have had only one other like it.  I had tingling (felt sickly) all over, my buttocks, my legs, chest neck and face. And my hands burned too?  I got little blister under my palms (4-5 bumps).  It took a course of several weeks for all this to happen (like 2-3) - the bumps are at the hair follicules.  My have had 2 doctors. One said the stuff on my chest and neck was herpes 1 and my dermo did a culture on my legs and said i was folliculitis.  Is there a connection - could i have herpetic folliculitis.  I need to know so that i dont give it to others if i touch them OR more important if i want kids.  Can i have herpes and folliculitis separately? Does one bring on the other? Could my dermo not diagnosed my folliculitis correctly (because it could be a reoccurance) and it could be herpetic folliculitis?  I have a very anxious person so my immune system is definitely down. I requested acyclovir and i feel better.  My face & neck are clearing up.  How can i get herpes all over??? I am really concerned.  Please help

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Folliculitis is bacterial, not from herpes.  I am skeptical that the doctor was correct when he told you that your chest and neck rash was herpes.  I also very much doubt that your systemic symptoms (itching, tingling all over, feeling sickly) are herpes-relates, unless you count being anxious about having herpes.

The only people who get herpes "all over" are people whose immune systems are not just "down" but really shot by medications or disease.  And such people are really sick, with high fevers, etc., to the point of hospitalization.

I think the dermatologist who cultured your legs and diagnosed folliculitis sounds as though he knows what's going on.  My advice is to show him or her what you have, share your concerns, and get the straight story.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[KillerKitty]

A related discussion, I belive that answer is wrong....about the herpes on the body was started.