Could my shingles actually be herpes simplex?

A few weeks ago I had unprotected sexual contact (oral, genital rubbing), followed by protected intercourse, with a partner who's sexual history I am unsure of. About a week after, in the process of moving, and a long distance drive to visit family, I started to feel an itchy, "surface" pain on my right thigh. Almost like an ingrown hair or pimple forming. I thought nothing of it, but 2 days later I had a patch of what appeared to be zits on my right butt cheek (a bit larger than a silver dollar). They did not hurt but were itchy, and again I didn't think much and attributed it to poor eating habits and stress during the move. The next morning, I woke up with a sore and swollen lymph node on the inside of my right thigh, in the groin area. I went straight to the clinic, where the doctor told me it was most likely shingles. He did not take a swab, age me a prescription for Valtrex, told me to take some ibuprofen for the pain, and sent me on my way. The valtrex seems to have helped, and the sores are almost all gone, though some remain as flat, red, itchy ovals. The lymph not is no longer swollen.

All was fine and good until I went to the STD clinic yesterday for a piece of mind screening. The nurse there, upon hearing my symptoms and seeing the patch of healing sores, gave me a funny look and said it sure sounds like herpes to her... But of course, couldn't be certain.

I am extremely worried as to whether or not I have shingles or herpes, and don't like he thought of waiting for another outbreak before I can find out. Is there anything I can do or anyone I can see to find out more??

Side note, I also underwent cryotherapy during the STD screen for some genital warts she found, but I believe those have been present for months if not a year or more.

Thanks for your help.

[Fib40]

I should add that while the sores were tender and sore, as well as mildly itchy, I don't think I experienced anythig I'd describe as severe pain (as seems to be associated with shingles). The swollen lymph node was by far the more uncomfortable symptom.

Furthermore, while the patch of sores did only occur on one side of my body, it was a circular patch as opposed to a linear group (following a nerve pathway).

So I don't know... Conflicting symptoms?

Other than the one moment of foolishness, I've always only engaged in sex with long term partners who's sexual history was known. I know that's not a foolproof satement at all, but just some more background that I don't consider myself high risk for std's...

[gracefromHHP]

it's really unfortunate that a lesion culture wasn't done your symptoms. the provider erred in not doing that. A visual diagnosis only isn't adequate in this day and age.  If you are under 50, the odds of this being shingles is pretty low in general too.

at this point, not an easy way to figure out what was going on quickly. it doesn't sound too much like shingles and the location certainly is suspicious for genital herpes too.  You can try getting a type specific herpes igg blood test now just to see what your status is and then repeat it in 3 months. should you get a return of symptoms, be seen promptly for further evaluation.

grace

[Fib40]

Hi grace, thanks for you reply (albeit it has me more worried than before!).

Is the IGG blood test something I'll have to specifically request? I've moved and don't have a GP at the moment. The STD clinic told me they don't do a blood test unless there's an actual sore present (or something to that effect, either way they're not testing my blood sample for herpes).

I'll try to get into a clinic tomorrow or make an appointment with a doc...

[Mistakeguy789]

A herpes IgG type specific test is something you should request directly from the provider you choose.  Most providers won't do the test without having it directly requested.  

[gracefromHHP]

if you are in the US, you can look online to order up herpes igg blood testing yourself. many places online like tstd.org, healthcheckusa.com and getstdtested.com .

[Fib40]

I'm actually in Canada. At the clinic right now planning to ask more.

Also, I'm 27, which I know doesn't help the case for shingles much. But then, my mom had shingles in her 30's or 40's, so I guess it's not unheard of...

[gracefromHHP]

look for ottmar's journal article here on herpes testing in canada. he took the time to put down a lot of useful info.

not unheard of to get shingles under 50 but just far less likely.  

[Fib40]

Neither the STD clinic nor the doctor I saw today at the walk-in clinic are willing to request the igg test for me. Both citing lack of an active lesion as the reason...

[gracefromHHP]

it's hard for folks to get the right testing in canada unfortunately. the rates of hsv2 infection are the same in canada as in the US which means that 1 out of 4-5 has hsv2.  Best of luck in finding a provider who will order the proper testing for you. You have to pay for it out of pocket but they can order it.  perhaps call one of the labs ottmar listed if one is close to you and ask them for help?