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STDs  (Expert Forum)
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Herpes or Pimples from Beach?
Answered by
Edward W Hook, MD - HIV Prevention, stds
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.

Herpes or Pimples from Beach?

by jane430, May 29, 2008 10:44AM
I had vaginal sex with a new boyfriend one time. He hasn't had symptoms of anything or engage in high-risk behaviors as far as I know. Previously, I had been in a very long-term relationship. There were a few minutes of unprotected sex and we then used a condom.16 days later, I noticed a small, white, painless pimple type bump right outside my anus, between my anus and vagina. I also noticed one on the other side of my anus. They don't itch or hurt. At this point, I had been on vacation on the beach for 5 days and was in my swimsuit most of the time. Would this be more likely to be herpes or just blocked sweat glands or something from the beach?

A few days have passed since I foudn the bumps and they are still there and still not painless. No more bumps have popped up in that time.

by Edward W Hook, MD, May 29, 2008 11:01AM
The only way to really know if this is herpes is to be examined and get a culture (not blood) test.  That said, what you describe sounds at the very least, atypical for an initial episode.  First of all, you have an alternate explanation (swim suit chaffing).  Second, we would expect the initial episode to occur more extensively, to be associated with more discomfort and to potential be accompanied by flu-like symptoms.  

As I said before however, the best way to address this and any lingering concerns is to go today to your own health care provider or perhaps the local STD clinic and get an examination and a herpes culture.  I hope this helps.  EWH
Member Comments (3)

by jane430, Jun 01, 2008 06:49PM
To: Edward W Hook
I still have both of these painless bumps and on close examination with a mirror see that I also have white painless bumps around the entrance to my vagina.

I do plan on getting this checked out immediately now but a couple of questions. Does this sound more like herpes or HPV or molluscum or something different? What would the chances of me getting herpes be from a one-time encounter with someone who didn't have any lesions?

Thank you for your help.

by Edward W Hook, MD, Jun 04, 2008 09:38AM
My guess from afar would be that they are most likely warts or normal. They might also be folliculitis (hair bumps), cysts or some other non-STD dermatological process.  They do not sound like herpes.  As you plan to do, the correct thing is to see a knowledgeable health care provider who can examine you.   EWH
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