HERPES

It’s Herpes 2 not Shingles

Dear Dr. Rob:

I have just been told that I have herpes, I was originally told four
years ago that the blisters I had on the inside of my arm was shingles.
I had outbreaks every couple of months, but always in the same
spot on my arm, and twice under my chin. I recently had a change
in insurance and when I saw this new doctor he took a culture, not
believing it was shingles and it came back herpes 2. How is this
possible? I thought herpes 2 was only in the genital area? I have
never had an outbreak anywhere else on my body. Please help
me understand this.

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Dr Rob’s Response:

Dear Poster Asking about Shingles:

Shingles, cold sores, and genital herpes are all members of the
herpes families. It is possible you had shingles recurrently
on your arm and I would strongly suggest that you get the
Herpes Select Test, as well as a test for varicella (which is
the chicken pox virus, and the same virus that causes shingles),
to determine which of these you have. From what you tell me,
I am at a loss as well, and I doubt that this would be Herpes
Type 2 and present only on the inside of your arms, but with
herpes viruses anything is possible.

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