A 31-year-old member asked:
please help! what is the main physical difference between herpes simplex and shingles on your genitals?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Milton Alvis, jr answered
Preventive Medicine 41 years experience
The virus involved..: Herpes virus related breakout on genitals is referred to herpes type ii (hsv-2), not simplex ( type i, hsv-1, which is usually face/lips). Shingles is a recurrence of pox virus (varicella zoster virus which typically causes acute, short-lived chickenpox in children) ; breakout can be anywhere, nearly always only one sided ; not commonly involving the genitals.
4517 viewsAnswered Dec 20, 2020
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A 35-year-old member asked:
What is the difference in appearance between herpes simplex and shingles on your genitals?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Richard Hatch answered
Endocrinology 47 years experience
Shingles is dermatom: Shingles is caused by herpes simplex virus type 3. Genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 and less commonly type 1. Type 1 and 2 cause a painful blister type rash with a red base that evolves into an ulceration. Type 3 (shingles) causes a blister type rash but usually only on one side and usually extends along the thigh , leg or abdomen (a "dermatomal" distribution).
5952 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Last updated Dec 20, 2020
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