Can any other infections be mistakened for herpes infection?

Hello,I have four questions I would like a little clarification about. I was wondering if at all possible can yeast, follicides, chancoids, or pertigo be mistakened for herpes in a culture test? 2.if someone has herpes can the lesion be at the lower back? 3. Can yeast cause a female to develop lesions or pimples in the buttocks area? 4. Is it possible for someone to diagnosed with herpes and retest two days later and the test comes back negitive? Thank you so much for taking the time out to read and respond to my questions. I will totally appreciate your response. Have a great day.

[JessyJames2010]

Hello

1. If the person is doing a lousy job then yes, but generelly you shouldn't worry about this.
2. That is rare to happen.  I've never read about such a thing.  I have read about herpes in the eyes, or hands, so I would think it's possible but rare.
3. Yes  fungal infections can do that.
4. YES.  Called false positives or even false negatives.

[gracefromHHP]

If you had a + herpes lesion culture, then you have herpes. the way they do the test you won't be + on the culture for non-herpes infections.

yes you can have herpes on the lower back. it's pretty common actually.

typically fungal infections don't trigger herpes infections to reoccur like things like bv do but they can.

yes, if you had a lesion culture repeated 2 days later and it was negative that is not to be unexpected. The longer the lesions are present, the less likely you are to get a false negative on them.

do you have a regular partner? if so, have they been tested yet to know their own status?

also was your lesion culture hsv1 or hsv2+?

grace

[TINYTORY]

Thank you guys for your time and responses. Greatly appreciated! Okay, Yes I do have a regular partner, he was tested and it came back negitive. The culture that was taken was taken 2 days  later from me, was bursted to get accurate testing (so the Dr. said). I wasn't told if it was hsv 1 or 2. I was just told that the results were positive and it was genital because it came from an area close to the genital area.

[TINYTORY]

Does anyone know if it is possible to test + for herpes on a culture test if you have Shingles?

[bobrope45]

First things first: how was your partner tested? Blood test (IgM, IgG), culture?

It sounds like your culture was not typed, which is a shame. If it was recent, you can still try to ask them to type it, if they still have the specimen.

If not, you and your partner should get a blood test within 3-4 months, to see where you stand.

Cultures for herpes simplex only detect herpes I and I, not shingles, which an entirely different virus from the herpesvirus family.

[TINYTORY]

     Hello....First of all Thank you to EVERYONE who responded and those of you who are taking the time out now to read another post of mine. Question #1, can Shingles be mistakened for herpes (by a look or looking at)? 2nd, if a person has Shingles and is tested (swab), is it possible for the test to come back positive because herpes zoster is still in the herpes family? 3rd, if herpes is the culprit, can one single blister come and no others?
     This is my situation. I had a blister come on my lower back/upper buttocks area. the very next day I went to the doctor & was tested. 2 days later I went to a free clinic & another culture was taken. I got the results from the first Dr. office and test came back positive. I wasn't told whether it was HSV 1 or 2. I hadn't done much research yet and didn't know to ask that. However, within 3 days after that I broke out with a rash that went across my actual butt cheeks and a little bit to the nape of my back. There wasno blister like the first one. Just seem like a straightline of very small blisters that started to feel like I scratched them to much a made sores. Anyhow, the feeling was terrible. I had to go to the emergency room. Soon as the Dr. saw it, he said it was Shingles. I asked was he sure? I stated to him why I was asking & not that I was questioning his profession but because I was diagnosed with herpes. They ran a blood & culture and both came back negitive. He said; it was Shingles because of the welp (belt) look the rash had and the feeling I was describing I was expierencing. The ER Dr. asked when I got the culture done was it cleaned the swabbed. I told him no and I had cream on it because I was trying to stop the itching. He still insisted on it being Shingles.
    The results from the second test came back & they also said it was positive. Now I was really worried and confused. By this time I did some research on herpes. Neither Dr. office stated what type of herpes I had. One office said when I asked what type, said well it came from the buttocks area then it's genital herpes. When I asked what was the count she said we don't know all that. I also asked if I could do another culture & i was told I had to wait til another blister came ??? Who knows how long that can be, since I have read outbreaks come when they feel.
     I don't know what to do or think. I don't want to stress out over it but I HAVE to know so that I know how to take care of myself & so that IF I end up with someone else I don't pass it & I am sure that I can make people aware. ??? While at the same time I don't want to say I have something when I don't.
     My boyfriend was also tested and his results came back negitive. So I am confused....I haven't been sexual with anyone besides him for the last 7 years. It's been a month & I still have the same rash on me. which I read that first time outbreaks can last up to six weeks.
     I just feel.....how did this, why me. I feel dirty & tainted. IF I don't work out with my honey & I do. How do you tell someone that you have herpes? Who would want someone who has herpes? Relationship/children......I just want to know!!! That's all......
     Thanks again to EVERYONE.....

[gracefromHHP]

the culture wouldn't have come back herpes simplex if it was shingles, it would've come back as herpes zoster.

yes indeed a visual diagnosis of shingles and also genital herpes are often wrong.



yes indeed herpes can present as a single lesion.

do you have any idea what blood testing was done in the ER? what 2nd test came back as +?

[TINYTORY]

     The Dr. from either office stated herpes simplex, HSV1, or HSV2. Dr. #1 stated, "well it came from the buttocks area so it's gential (genital) herpes". Dr. #2 stated,"she didn'task to test for herpes zoster,1 or 2. they take the culture is, send it in, & they state whether it is herpes or not". They don't test what type of herpes it is. She said she would get back with me as to if that could happen. Almost 3 weeks later and she hasn't. No I am not sure as to what type of blood testing was done in the ER but I will try to find out. The 2nd test that came back + was from Dr.#2 (the free clinic).
     I also wanted to ask, which blood test do you think I should get. I was going to wait about 2 to 3 months and then get a blood test and just pay for it. Because the free clinics seem to not really give through results. EVERYONE I have read about all state what type of herpes they have. Thanks again for your response.

[IDTB]

When the Doctor tells you it's genital herpes because it's from the buttocks area, that's only saying that it's genital herpes. But it's not giving you what type it is. The Doctor needs to understand that you want to know if it's HSV 1 or 2. And tell him that you know either type can infect the genital area. He needs to understand that as well,...if he doesn't already.

Also, if you go get blood tests. Tell them you 'only' want IGG test done. Stay away from the IgM. It's unreliable, can give false positives and tells you nothing about the type of herpes you have because it doesn't differentiate. It's a general test. Plus I was told that CDC guidelines advise against it as well. Some doctors aren't up to date on that yet. I know that first hand. And the results will only confuse you. And yes, you're right, wait about 2-3 months. That gives the antibodies a chance to develop in time for the IGG test to detect if they are there.

[TINYTORY]

Thank you again EVERYONE who responded and read my post (smile).

[gracefromHHP]

the lesion cultures come back specifically herpes simplex or herpes zoster, not just a generic herpes.

so unfortunate your providers aren't more helpful :(