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Conditions and Diseases > Skin Forum > Testing for herpes zoster virus
20% of the population has or carries herpes simplex virus. But do you know what herpes is? Learn about causes and risk factors for herpes. ...
Do you know the less common signs and symptoms of herpes? Get the facts of herpes symptoms and outbreaks here....
Herpes diagnosis requires proper testing. Learn about the two simple tests that doctors use to confirm a herpes diagnosis....
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Q: Testing for herpes zoster virus
asked by: DoctorQuestion on May 20th, 2009
i have herpes and lately for bout three years ive been getting bumps like chicken pocks on my face,back legs,buttocks please tell me what this is ive had chicken pocks before


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Users who thank DoctorQuestion for this post: ravenred25 
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Dr. Goce Aleksovski , MD
replied on May 25th, 2009
Skin Answer A6653



Chicken pox is a viral disease caused by varicella zoster virus. Once the infection is over, small number of viral particles stay dormitory in the body. They might multiply once again when the immune system weakens. Then they would cause Herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles. Herpes zoster is characterized with rash similar to the one in chicken pox. However, it usually affects the skin from only one dermatom. Severe pain is usually present, too and might be preceding the rash. Some nonspecific symptoms like fever and headache might be present in the beginning of the illness, which might result in misdiagnose.
Since you do not report the characteristic distribution of the rash in only one dermatom nor the severe pain, something else might be causing the bumps on face, back, legs and buttocks. You might want to visit dermatologist to check for the bumps. If herpes zoster is suspected, laboratory tests to confirm it might be needed.
The treatment would depend on the definitive diagnose.




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