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Shingles or HSV2?
Hi Dr,
About 4.5 weeks ago I broke out in a rash right above my crotch on the right hand side near my hip bone. The rash was bumpy and red, I assumed it was a heat rash as it started while I was on vacation in the Caribbean.
3 weeks after the rash appeared I started getting concerned that it wasn't going away. I went to the dermatologist who diagnosed it as shingles, as it was only on one side of the body and had starting crusting over in some areas, also that it had started spreading left. He prescribed me with valtex and 5 days later it is drying up and less itchy.
My concern is that could it be HSV 2 even though its not in or around my vagina?
The reason I ask is that I was seeing a guy who has HSV2. However the timing doesn't seem right. The last time I was with him sexually was Dec 16th, the rash appeared Feb 17th.
I went to the gyno for my annual visit Feb 24th he checked me for all STD's including HSV1 & 2, both IGG tests negative, which makes the test 10 weeks after last exposure.
In your opinion could this be HSV2?
About 4.5 weeks ago I broke out in a rash right above my crotch on the right hand side near my hip bone. The rash was bumpy and red, I assumed it was a heat rash as it started while I was on vacation in the Caribbean.
3 weeks after the rash appeared I started getting concerned that it wasn't going away. I went to the dermatologist who diagnosed it as shingles, as it was only on one side of the body and had starting crusting over in some areas, also that it had started spreading left. He prescribed me with valtex and 5 days later it is drying up and less itchy.
My concern is that could it be HSV 2 even though its not in or around my vagina?
The reason I ask is that I was seeing a guy who has HSV2. However the timing doesn't seem right. The last time I was with him sexually was Dec 16th, the rash appeared Feb 17th.
I went to the gyno for my annual visit Feb 24th he checked me for all STD's including HSV1 & 2, both IGG tests negative, which makes the test 10 weeks after last exposure.
In your opinion could this be HSV2?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Personally, I doubt that your HSV IgG tests will change. At 10 weeks after acquistion of infection the urrent tests detect about 90% of recent infections. At 16 weeksthe proportion is only slightly higher. EWH
Thanks Doctor.
I am thinking of going for another round of IGG HSV1 & 2 tests. Will these tests be accurate as long as they are 16 weeks past the last exposure?
I am thinking of going for another round of IGG HSV1 & 2 tests. Will these tests be accurate as long as they are 16 weeks past the last exposure?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back to the Forum. Your question is a good one. When HSV infections occur in locations other than the genitals they can very closely resemble the rash of shingles which is caused by a related virus- the varicella zoster or chicken pox virus. Without a culture of the lesions it is very difficult to determine which virus s actually causing the rash.
I agree with you that the timing o your rash is late for HSV, given that your last contact was two months earlier. Further, while not a perfect test by any means, your negative blood test for HSV antibodies is also suggestive that your rash was not due to HSV.
I hope this comment helps, should e rash recur in the same region it is more likely to be due to HSV but even then, if possible getting a PCR test or culture as soon as possible after the rash appears would be most helpful for being sure. EWH
I agree with you that the timing o your rash is late for HSV, given that your last contact was two months earlier. Further, while not a perfect test by any means, your negative blood test for HSV antibodies is also suggestive that your rash was not due to HSV.
I hope this comment helps, should e rash recur in the same region it is more likely to be due to HSV but even then, if possible getting a PCR test or culture as soon as possible after the rash appears would be most helpful for being sure. EWH
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
