Thank you. I know the difference between bacteria and virus and so I have quit using the tablets as of today. Stopped using the ointment (Formula: betamethasone Dipropionate & Salicylic Acid). What made me question his qualifications was that he was giving anti biotics for a virus(he gave me some cyprofloxacin tablets where as for a virus you should give some anti virals) Now I am not going to take those anymore. I am applying Calamine lotion on it. But do you know what's getting my confused about this? That Shingles are to run all around the waist since there are major nerves there(or so I guess). I barely have them on the back. THey are just on the bottom of my ribcage(right side), Could it be some minor case of shingles? And should I go for anti-virals now? I've been told by somebody that since it has alreayd been almost 3 days, anti virals will be of no use for me. (Why I am not going to another doctor is because ..oh well it's embarrassing. I'm legit broke these days. We don't have medical insurance where I live. I am just a 20 yo living on his own. The first time consultation fee of a doctor is more than twice then the second consultation and so on, so I'd just wait for the second consultation with the same physician than trying to arrange money for some other doctor's first consultation fee. I'll have to wait till Tuesday for the doctor to be back and I dont want this spreading till then and I was wondering if I should just start with antivirals right way)