genetal herpes

[bcherry]

I've been dating a guy for about a year who has herpes.  We haven't been using protection.  

About three weeks ago, while vacationing in HI and taking some antibiotics for a bladder infection, I noticed several, maybe thrity small bumps the size of pimples around my anus.  They didn't itch at all.  Beginning a few days before, I felt pain in my lower abdomin or low back and felt slight flu like symptoms, loss of appetite and a headache.  Not bad enough to stop my vacation. Several days later, I popped the pimples and small white pimple like stuff came out and they bled.  They healed slowly, but never itched and they didn't get any bigger than about 1/8 inch diameter. I got some additional bumps, but not as many right when the first were healing. It has been almost a month and I can still see white area, but not bumps where the pimples (herpes?) were.  At this point, I feel fine and the problem seems to be resolving.  My boyfriend said my symptoms do not sound like any herpes he ever had.  He is 41 and has not had an outbreak in about 20 years, but he does take Acyclovir for mouth cold sores which might be suppressing the genetal sores.  

Do you think I got the gental herpes?

I don't have good medical insurance right now and don't want to pay for a doctors visit unless I absolutely have to.  

[willy851]

Going to the doctor wouldn't help anyway. What you described doesn't sound like herpes, But it's not the same in every person. Besides if you get it you will eventually be one of the majority.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,

Genital herpes is common and a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. The initial symptom of genital herpes usually is pain or itching,  within a few weeks after exposure.  After several days, small, red bumps may appear that may rupture, becoming ulcers that ooze or bleed. In women, sores can erupt in the vaginal area, external genitals, buttocks, anus or cervix.  During an initial outbreak flu-like signs and symptoms, such as headache, muscle aches and fever, as well as swollen lymph nodes in your groin may be observed. This seems to describe the course of the "pimples" you had. In some cases, the infection can be active and contagious even when lesions aren't present, as in the case of your boyfriend.

Diagnosis is usually through a blood test or tissue scraping or culture of the blisters for examination in the laboratory. Unfortunately, there is no cure for genital herpes. Oral prescription antiviral medications, such as acyclovir, may help heal the sores sooner and reduce the frequency of relapses. It would be best to see your doctor for further evaluation and management. Take care and regards.