Could I have herpes?

I am a 33 year old female . I noticed five or six pimple-blister like sores about a 2 years ago on my right labia. They were tender to touch,but had no drainage. In about a week the pimples opened and some clear drainage came out, but there was no scab it just went away. The other day I noticed the same five or six pimple-blister like sores. This occured  a few days after my period.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Yes, these could indeed be herpes.  Because your doctor can only diagnose this by examining and culturing the blisters when they're present--and they may not come back for a long time--your best bet is a blood test called herpes 2 IgG.  Ask your doctor to order this test.  If it shows herpes, you could potentially spread herpes to a partner who doesn't wear a condom even if you don't have any blisters at the time.  So you should find out.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[eddielee123]

But is it common for herpes to only reocurr once in 2 years?