How to Differentiate Between Shingles and Herpes Simplex
Disease description:
I am 43 years old this year, and I have noticed the appearance of pimples with an unknown shape on my body. They are abnormally itchy and have not improved. My mother said it was herpes, and after examination, it was diagnosed as herpes zoster. I would like to know how to differentiate between herpes zoster and herpes simplex?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
Herpes zoster and herpes simplex are two distinct skin diseases, which can be differentiated as follows:
1. **Type of virus**: Herpes zoster is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, whereas herpes simplex is caused by the herpes simplex virus.
2. **Incubation period**: The incubation period for herpes zoster is approximately 10–21 days, while that of herpes simplex is shorter, ranging from 2–12 days for primary infection.
3. **Affected areas**: Herpes zoster can occur in any part of the body, but typically follows the skin distribution of sensory nerves; herpes simplex commonly affects the mucocutaneous junctions, such as the corners of the mouth, lips, eyelids, and genital areas.
4. **Clinical manifestations**: Herpes zoster is often accompanied by severe pain, including neuralgia and local lymph node pain; herpes simplex presents with localized itching and a burning sensation, with relatively mild pain.
5. **Treatment and prognosis**: Herpes zoster requires systemic treatment and may be accompanied by sequelae such as postherpetic neuralgia; herpes simplex is mostly self-limiting with a short disease course, but tends to recur frequently.
