Question: This is the second time in maybe 20 years. Symptoms are first little lumps on left nostril that later become blisters. Backup, a week or two before that I had a swollen tongue. Rinsed with warm salt water and took tylenol. Then as blisters get larger, tried to make appt with Dr. (5 days later). My paratid (sp?) gland also swells. I thought perhaps shingles. Dr. agreed and prescribed zovorix pills and ointment (wowowowo expensive). But now I'm thinking perhaps Allergic Rhinitis? I also had dry cough during time of infection. No cold or sore throat. What may cause this? I'm particularly worried about the swollen tongue situation.

Hello Dr.,

In answer to your question, i stopped using the acyclovir 400 after 7 days. It was prescribed 1 pill 4 times a day, enough for 15 days. I was getting nauseated with it and was sleeping too long. (rest is good but i am providing home care for my semi-bed ridden 87 year old mother. Osteoarthritis and compression fracture and bleeding with bowel movements). Yes i wear gloves and mask as didnt know what I had, didnt want her to catch if something contagious. I had itching on nose a lot after scab came off so i used the ointment, sometimes helped, sometimes i washed off. Since i have stopped taking the pills, my tongue has swollen one time, two nights ago. I took both a Bayer aspirin and Zovorix pill cuz it scared me to see my teeth prints on tongue. Is it too late to ask for a blood test for igg to determine if in fact I do have it? Since tKing care of my mother i have become run down some and don't sleep much at night. All in all the medicine help with the tongue and paratid swelling. I have a scar on my nostril from the last time (20 yrs ago) my nostril cheek gland swelled. I dont like this and would like some type of non-invasive test or I saw on site a lesion culture. Don't know about that though. What do you think? I'm frustrated because i don't know what triggered this, if it is Hsv-1?