cold sores are caused by a herpes virus that may be spread by kissing or other physical contact with the infected area of the skin. they are small painful ulcers that you get in or around your mouth. chickenpox is caused by a herpes virus. it causes an itchy rash of multiple small red bumps that look like pimples or insect bites usually appearing first on the abdomen or back and face. it can spread to almost everywhere else on the body and may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms. shingles is caused by the same herpes virus that causes chickenpox. it causes small painful blisters that happen on your skin. shingles occurs in people who have already had chickenpox. shingles can be spread to people who have not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine by contact with the infected areas of the skin. genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease. it causes small painful blisters on your genital area. you can spread genital herpes to others even when you have no symptoms. if you are sexually active you can still pass herpes to your partner even if you are taking medication to treat it. do not have sexual contact with your partner when you have any symptom or outbreak of genital herpes. use a condom made of latex or polyurethane whenever you have sexual contact. ask your health care provider for more information about safer sex practices.
what are cold sores chickenpox shingles and genital herpes?