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Shingles is more common in older adults and in people who have weakened immune systems. Varicella-zoster is part of a group of viruses called herpes viruses, which includes the viruses that cause cold sores and genital herpes. Because of this, shingles is also known as herpes zoster.
- Can shingles be mistaken for herpes?
- How can you tell the difference between herpes simplex and zoster?
- What do shingles look like when they first start?
- Are shingles an STD?
- What looks like herpes but isnt herpes?
- What can mimic herpes?
- Can I sleep in the same bed as someone with shingles?
- Is herpes zoster contagious?
- Is herpes zoster sexually transmitted?
- What does a mild case of shingles look like?
- What do shingles spots look like?
- What can trigger shingles?
Can shingles be mistaken for herpes?
Herpes Simplex Is Mistaken for the Shingles Rash
Either type of herpes remains dormant in the body and can cause future outbreaks. The blisters caused by herpes simplex could be mistaken for those caused by the shingles virus, but herpes sores are usually localized around the mouth or genitals.
How can you tell the difference between herpes simplex and zoster?
Varicella zoster virus infection: Individual lesions of varicella zoster may look exactly like herpes simplex, with clustered vesicles or ulcers on an erythematous base. Varicella zoster tends to follow a dermatomal distribution, which can help to distinguish from herpes simplex.
What do shingles look like when they first start?
Early symptoms of shingles may include fever and general weakness. You may also feel areas of pain, burning, or a tingling sensation. A few days later, the first signs of a rash appear. You may begin to notice pink or red blotchy patches on one side of your body.
Are shingles an STD?
Although shingles belongs to the herpes family it is a different virus to the one that causes genital herpes or cold sores. This means that it's not a sexually transmitted infection.
What looks like herpes but isnt herpes?
Contact Dermatitis Can Be Mistaken for Herpes
Like herpes, it recurs, and while it's not an STD, when it appears in the mouth or genital area, it may be mistaken for herpes.
What can mimic herpes?
Noninfectious conditions that can mimic genital herpes include Reiter syndrome, contact dermatitis, Crohn disease, Behçet syndrome, trauma, erythema multiforme, and lichen planus.
Can I sleep in the same bed as someone with shingles?
Precautions to Take Around People With Shingles
If you're in contact with someone with shingles, you should avoid directly touching their rash. You should also avoid touching their clothes, bedding, towels, or anything else that might have touched their rash.
Is herpes zoster contagious?
Is Shingles Contagious? Yes. You can spread the varicella zoster virus to people who've never had chickenpox and haven't been vaccinated. You're contagious until all of the sores have crusted over.
Is herpes zoster sexually transmitted?
Herpes zoster is a virus in the herpesvirus family which causes chicken pox in children and shingles in adults. It is not sexually transmitted.
What does a mild case of shingles look like?
The generalized signs and symptoms in the body may include:
Raised red rash which usually appears a few days after the pain. Multiple blisters which appear in a stripe pattern. The blisters contain fluid and they break open with crusting. Fever, chills, fatigue, and body ache.
What do shingles spots look like?
The shingles rash appears as painful skin blisters that appear usually on only one side of the face or body along the distribution of nerves in the skin. The skin rash begins as fluid-filled blisters that then form scabs that may leave scars.
What can trigger shingles?
The shingles rash is associated with an inflammation of nerves beneath the skin. Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who's had chickenpox may develop shingles. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus enters your nervous system and lies dormant for years.
