Does this sound like herpes?

Hi,

I have recently been getting a rash on my vulva that I am very concerned about.  Over the last three weeks the rash has come out four times.  My vulva gets very red and quite hot and in some some spots I have tiny pin head, white spots that are kind of like a blister but kind of like a bump but they are not fluid filled.  The rash geberally feels better the next day, sometimes, some of the little bumps will have dissapeared and sometimes some of the slightly bigger bumps will remain for three or four days.  They do not burst open and scab over, they just fade away.  The rash last came out two days ago and I went to my doctor today. All that was left was two tiny bump/blisters one about a millimetre and one slightly bigger. They are not clustered. He said it could be a subclinical or anaytypical version of herpes and took a viral culture but also thought the "breakouts" are probably too close together to be herpes.  I am extremely upset and worried about waiting for my results.  My doctor is quite concerned as he said that if this test was negative he would like to do another one when the blisers are fresh. I was wondering if you thought this sounded like herpes and if you have ever seen it present this way before?

Also, today I was also diagnosed with anal warts.  I was just wondering the probability of passing this onto a partner once the warts are frozen off.  I haven't had anal sex and don't intend to either if that helps.

Thanks for your time, and your advice will be appreciated.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I agree that if this is herpes, it's quite atypical.  The doctor's plan to culture a fresh lesion is a sound one.  Another test that might help is to get a type-specific blood test for herpes type 2.  At the end of the day, however, you probably will find that this is some sort of folliculitis or bacterial infection, and not herpes at all.

It's hard to say exactly what the chances of passing any wart is.  If you've removed it and don't plan on having anal sex, I wouldn't think about it any more than that.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[DJEJ]

Oh, I haven't had unprotected sex for atleast 11 months and the last time I had sex was over two months ago and a condom was used.

Beassy.