Do I Have Herpes? It Started On Monday And Now

Posted on Thu, 17 Jan 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 17 Jan 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : do I have herpes? it started on Monday and now it looks like this I don't have pain or tingling but there abit sore if I touch them. the doctor said it was folliocus but is it?

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi (1 hour later)

this is the spots close up what is it?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It does not look like herpes, probably folliculitis, follow the advice below

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have read your query and here is my advice.

I've reviewed the attached picture.

I agree with your doctor that it can be folliculitis.

I don't think that it is herpes.

I suggest you wash the area with antibacterial soap.

I also recommend using antibiotic cream for local application.

If it persists, treatment with antibiotics may be needed.

In my patients, I generally suggest antibiotic Augmentin 625 mg twice a day for seven days.

I suggest you to consult your doctor about this treatment.

Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi (39 minutes later)

Thank you for that answer this is the picture of it close up why does it look like a herpes sore? see attached image

Answered by Dr. Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Already reviewed the attached photo, probably folliculitis.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear,

I already reviewed the new attached report.

I confirm that it is probably folliculitis.

Folliculitis is characterized by an inflamed area.

Herpes instead is usually characterised by blisters.

Herpes lesions are smaller than folliculitis lesions.

So, I recommend to follow the advice given above about the treatment.

Take care dear,

Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi (10 hours later)

please can you review this new picture see attached, this looks different to what it did before, now does it look like herpes?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Probably a folliculitis, you can do a culture of the sore to exclude herpes

Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear,

I already reviewed the new attached report.

I continue to think that this is a folliculitis.

If you want to completely exclude the possibility of herpes I recommend you to do a herpes culture.

You should take a swab sample of fluid from the sore and then send it to a laboratory for testing.

This way you will be sure that is not herpes.

Take care dear,

Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj