@seniormed -- It was cultured and, yes, it is Zoster, not Simplex. I stay away from kids and senior adults because I know that I'm still contagious to those who've never had chicken pox or received the vaccination. When the dr first told me direct sunlight is a trigger, I thought he was crazy, but it's true. I have to be really careful because the hot sun (hot sun as in inferno Atlanta, GA, direct sun) and within a few minutes, I can feel the tingling and know what is going to be my lot for the next couple of weeks. You're right that the treatment is the same and I always make it a point to tell every new pharmacist that the Famvir is for =shingles=.