Shingles and HSV2

I just got a culture done and it was returned with a positive for HSV2. The next day I got some blisters on my arm. I also have been having the painful skin feeling to the touch on my left side of my back going around to my bra. No rash there as of now but...Can it be shingles that I had in the genital area and would it come back as HSV2 or are they totally different tests? Could it be that I have both? Would one cause the other to come out? Can I tell how long I have had HSV2 if that is the correct result?

[gracefromHHP]

no, a culture will not come back as hsv2 when it's really shingles.   Also it would be highly unusual for shingles to occur on 2 completely different dermatones like this too.

since you have new symptoms, return to be seen to find out if they also look like herpes or not.

did you start treatment with a herpes antiviral?

grace

[drifter0213]

you may have both i do but i think the rash is something differrent

[lila903]

yes am taking acyclovir or whatever twice a day. it looked like it but it was on my forarm. I dont know why but I feel like there is something wrong that the doctors are not catching or thinkiing that we have because my son is sickly too and has been his whole life. He used to get rashed on his foot and then he would get them on his arms or face around his mouth but they were not blisters. He also has what they are saying is allergies and has for his whole life but he refuses to let us get him tested. He is super scared of doctors and has  panic attacks. we had to put him under just to get his teeth cleaned and get the spacer put in his roof of his mouth. But I just have this weird feeling that somehow it is all connected. I am reading up on different complications that could come with hsv and I fear and have always feared that we have some sort of weakened immune system. I am a smoker but just recently I have started really geting out of breath. I am a very active woman and have always been very strong and it seems like lately I am not as strong. I also know that I read that if I was to get a blood test along with the culture they did that somehow they might be able to tell me if I was infected recently or a while ago. Is this true? I think it was by counting the antibodies or something. Sorry I just went off blabbing here.....

[lila903]

could I have shingles on my arm  and I think in my ear now and possibly under my hair on my scalp. will I have another outbreak of it ever or will it go away for good after this and can I still get the vaccination for it?

[gracefromHHP]

it's not likely your son has herpes rashes on multiple body parts.  If you aren't pleased with what his regular provider is doing for his allergy care, see a pediatric dermatologist and also a pediatric allergist for  2nd opinions.

smoking is never good for you! It lowers your immune system and even if you always smoke outside, your children are exposed to the chemicals on your skin and clothing and it makes allergy issues even worse :(  

see a dermatologist yourself for all your various issues. It's not herpes or shingles on all these body parts.