### Human:\nwhat is the difference between shingles and herpes? . i have had shingles across one side or the other on my butt and sometimes sores in side my tail bone or outside my vaginal area which i have been told may be herpes? i have had head and neck cancer. which ended up to be squamous cell carcinoma 13 surgeries 1/3 of my tongue removed 27 nodes and 7 weeks of radiation. i wonder about this . i have always had cold sores and canker sores. tested for hpv negative anyone have an answer? as to whether this is shingles herpes or what? anyone please\n\n### Assistant: shingles are caused by the herpes virus. cold sores are also caused by the herpes virus. canker sores and hpv are not herpetic