What is the Difference Between Herpes Zoster and Genital Herpes

The key difference between herpes zoster and genital herpes is that herpes zoster is a viral disease caused by the reactivation of the varicella–zoster virus, while genital herpes is a viral disease caused by the herpes simplex virus 2.

Herpes zoster and genital herpes are two different types of viral diseases. Herpes zoster is also called shingles and occurs due to the reactivation of the varicella–zoster virus that typically causes chickenpox. On the other hand, genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex 2, a type of herpes simplex virus. The same antiviral medications can be used to treat both these infections. However, a higher dose is used when treating shingles.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Herpes Zoster  
3. What is Genital Herpes
4. Similarities – Herpes Zoster and Genital Herpes
5. Herpes Zoster vs Genital Herpes in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Herpes Zoster vs Genital Herpes

What is Herpes Zoster?

Herpes zoster is also known as shingles. It is a viral disease caused by the reactivation of the varicella–zoster virus. The varicella–zoster virus usually causes chickenpox disease. This viral infection typically causes an outbreak of painful rash or blisters on one area of the skin in the body. It most often appears as a band of rashes or blisters in that area. In the United States, about 1 million cases of shingles are diagnosed every year. The risk factors for shingles include having a weakened immunity, being over the age of 50, being ill, people who have experienced trauma, and being under stress.

The early symptoms of shingles include fever, chills, fatigue, sensitivity to light, and upset stomach, while the late symptoms of shingles include itching, tingling or burning sensation in an area of the skin, redness in the affected area of the skin, raised rash in a small area of the skin, fluid-filled blisters on the skin that break open ad turn into ulcers, and mild to severe pain in the area of skin.

Herpes zoster can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, and a laboratory test using scrapings or a swab of the fluid from blisters. Treatments for herpes zoster include antiviral medications (acyclovir, famciclovir, valacyclovir), over-the-counter pain relievers (acetaminophen and ibuprofen), and other medications such as antibiotics for secondary bacterial infection.

What is Genital Herpes?

Genital herpes is a viral disease that is caused by a type of herpes simplex virus called HSV2. It is a sexually transmitted disease. The common symptoms of genital herpes may include small blisters that burst open and form red open sores in the genitals, anus, thighs, or bottom, tingling, burning, or itching sensation around the genitals, and pain while urinating. Women also experience unusual vaginal discharge. The risk factors for this condition include exposure to ultraviolet light, friction in the genital area, smoking, drinking alcohol, being unwell, stress, being in the menstrual cycle, surgery on the genital area, and having weakened immunity.

Genital herpes can be diagnosed through physical examination, a history of sexual activity, and laboratory tests of blood. Furthermore, genital herpes is treated through commonly prescribed antiviral medicines such as acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir, pain relievers (acetaminophen and ibuprofen), keeping sores clean and dry, wearing loose-fitting cotton underwear, and applying cool compress on the affected area.

What are the Similarities Between Herpes Zoster and Genital Herpes?

• Herpes zoster and genital herpes are two different types of viral diseases.
• Both diseases can cause painful blisters and sores in different parts of the body.
• Both diseases can be diagnosed through physical examination and blood tests.
• The same antiviral medications can be used to treat both these diseases.

What is the Difference Between Herpes Zoster and Genital Herpes?

Herpes zoster is a viral disease caused by the reactivation of the varicella–zoster virus, while genital herpes is a viral disease caused by the herpes simplex virus 2. Thus, this is the key difference between herpes zoster and genital herpes. Furthermore, herpes zoster is not a sexually transmitted disease, while genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease.

The below infographic presents the differences between herpes zoster and genital herpes in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Herpes Zoster vs Genital Herpes

Herpes zoster and genital herpes are two different types of viral diseases. Varicella–zoster virus is the causative agent of Herpes zoster disease, while herpes simplex virus 2 is the causative agent of genital herpes. Furthermore, herpes zoster is not a sexually transmitted disease, while genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease. So, this summarizes the difference between herpes zoster and genital herpes.

Reference:

1. “Shingles (Herpes Zoster): Symptoms & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “Genital Herpes.” Mayo Clinic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Herpes zoster chest” By Fisle – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Infección vaginal por virus herpes” By Manuel Medina (Public Domain) via Flickr