Hello all, approximately 4 days ago I developed a localized rash on my buttocks that has since become more of blister-like sore. I’ve been in a relationship for 5 years and have only been intimate with one other man during these 5 years. Since then, I have had no signs of outbreaks and even tested negative for all STDs a few months after the hook-up.
In the days before my rash presented, I visited a tanning bed twice - and the rash developed in the region where my buttocks rests against the bed. I initially thought this was the cause, as I was burnt for several days. The day immediately following the emergence of the rash I developed an insanely sore throat, runny nose, fever, cough, & hoarseness. Today I finally visited my doctor and was diagnosed with strep throat (though he didn’t want to do a mouth swab to confirm). While he was injecting my buttocks with shots, he noticed the rash & immediately said “that’s herpes”.
I was completely dumbfounded. Initially, I thought the strep throat was a coincidence & was too shocked to even ask specific questions. I asked my doctor several times if there was anything else this could be because it didn’t seem possible for me to have Herpes. He was insistent that this was the only possibility after a visual examination and did not even want to perform a test to confirm his diagnosis. I insisted on receiving a test - so he gave me a blood test. After doing much research, I am concerned (and hoping) that I may have been misdiagnosed (I have not yet received the blood result tests so I cannot be sure).
First - Why would he perform a blood test rather than a swab test, especially while the blistering was present?
Second - Tanning bed rash?
Third - Streptococcus pyogenes has come to my attention as this bacterial infection can present as strep throat & impetigo (blistering)!!
Fourth - Scabies, Folliculitis, etc???
PLEASE someone tell me if this looks & sounds like Herpes!!! I am freaking out & am too impatient to wait on the test results before getting further opinions!!!