Herpes - Genital Herpes? VERY IMPORTANT!?

Genital Herpes? VERY IMPORTANT!?

My boyfriend just told me over MSN that he thinks he has genital herpes. He wasn't cheating and I don't recall giving him a blow job while i had a cold sore because I won't even kiss him while I have one. He said it's one big bump with an open sore that appeared almost suddenly within the last day. He said it's like a white opening at the top. He said it hurts a lot but he didn't get any initial tingling or burning feelings as it came. It just boom popped up and started to hurt. I don't have any pictures, and I'm not sure anyone would want to see that anyway, but I'm hoping this description would help out. Could it just be an ingrown hair? I showed him a picture of genital herpes and he said it doesn't really look like that but I couldn't find any pictures of it after the blisters pop. Can anyone give me any information? He said he's booking a doctor's appointment but I was hoping some people here have had similar experiences so they would have some insight! PLEASE HELP! I said that he is booking an appointment so I'm not sure why people decide to answer "go to a doctor" I asked for some insight he's still going to go. Obviously if someone has information here it would help to ease my mind while he goes to get tested which could be weeks from now. And yeah...no sex at all until I know for sure! Oh it can't be syphilis either. He was a virgin before me and if he did cheat it would have to be within this week because otherwise we're together every night and most of the day at university. And I certainly don't have syphilis

Public Comments

Its a pimple you idiot... wow
ingown vs. boil...either or...
at least he told you. good for him
that sounds more like a syphilis sore or a chancroid sore. he should just go and get it tested to find out exactly what it is.
sounds like a nasty spot, i get them down below sometimes and i definatly dont have any stds
Your cold sore might still have been contagious but you didn't realize it and you passed it along to him. OR he's had herpes all along and just now got them. OR he's cheating on you. It sounds like herpes. I'm sorry.
Sounds to me like an ingrown hair....or even a pimple...(yeah, you can get them down there).
The only way to know is to go in. If he wants it to be super confidential find a planned parenthood! Until then, dont have sex with him.
a cold sore on his penis would be genital herpes , he can buy some stuff named ABREVIA, that will help a lot
It's not possible to transfer a cold sore to a genital region. Those are two completely different viruses. It's probably nothing to worry about, just have him monitor it and if it gets worse, go to a doctor.
sounds like you both should visit you g p as soon as possible and get some advice .it may just be something that needs a course of anti biotic but dont have sex till you have both been checked and cured
Symptoms: usually develop within 2 to 20 days after contact could continue up to 2 weeks may be so mild it goes unnoticed may take longer or be less severe in some people, especially in those with partial immunity to the virus from having facial herpes, e.g. cold sores. in the first attack sometimes causes visible sores last between 10 - 21 days The first episode is the most severe as most people have not been exposed to the virus before and antibodies will not have been produced to trigger the immune response. When the herpes virus gets into skin cells it reproduces itself and starts to multiply, making the skin red and sensitive. Blisters or bumps may appear on the genital area, the blisters first opening, then healing with the regeneration of new skin tissue. The infected area: is usually painful and may itch, burn or tingle, during the outbreak. Other symptoms include: swollen lymph glands painful inflamed blisters develop around infected area headache muscle ache fever vaginal or penis discharge infection of the urethra causing a burning sensation during urination a burning sensation in the genitals lower back pain small red bumps may appear in the genital area following earlier symptoms, later developing into painful blisters, which crust over, form a scab, and heal. No Symptoms: Up to 60% of people who have genital HSV show no signs of the disease and are unaware that they are infected, but are capable of transmitting the virus to others (asymptomatic viral shedding). Recurrences Subsequent recurrences of the virus may cause an outbreak of blisters. Recurrences: are usually shorter and less severe than the initial episode may decrease in both severity and frequency over time are usually preceded by warning symptoms (also known as prodromal symptoms) After the lesions have healed, and the symptoms of recurrence have ended, pain and discomfort in the genital area is still sometimes felt (post-herpetic neuralgia). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used to treat this condition. Some people find these drugs effective for the discomfort of the prodrome, and for the duration of the outbreak. How common are recurrences? 80% of persons having a first episode caused by HSV-2 will have at least one recurrence 50% of persons with HSV-1 will experience a recurrence The most common scenario is occasional recurrences (about 4 attacks per year) Usually, the first year has the most viral activity A recurrence takes place when the virus replicates in the nerve ganglia and particles of virus travel along the nerve to the site of primary infection in the skin or mucous membranes (inner, moist lining of the mouth, vagina etc). There are very subtle forms of recurring herpes found on the penis, vulva, anus, thigh and buttocks or anywhere in or around the genital area that heal very quickly (within a matter of days). Signs of Recurrent Outbreaks: Breaks or irregularities in the skin, such as a cut, red bump or rash Small sores or blisters that form a crust may occur anywhere in the region between the legs--thigh, buttocks, anus, or pubis Healing occurs in half the time as the first outbreak What brings on or "triggers" an outbreak or recurrence? Although it is not known exactly why the virus reactivates at various times, both physical and/or psychological factors can bring on an outbreak. Physical Factors: Physical factors differ from person to person, but may be caused from: being run-down suffering from other genital infections (affecting the local skin area) menstruation drinking a lot of alcohol exposure of the area to strong sunlight conditions that compromise a person's immune system (where the body's immune system is not functioning normally) prolonged periods of stress ultraviolet light friction or damage to the skin, caused by, for example, sexual intercourse, may also lead to a recurrence surgical trauma anything that lowers your immune system or causes local injury can trigger recurrences. Psychological Factors: periods of prolonged stress can cause more frequent recurrences it is also common to experience stress and anxiety as a result of having recurrences. Prodrome A warning sign (prodrome) is experienced by many people in recurring outbreaks. Warning symptoms which indicate the virus is becoming active, and is on its way to the skin's surface may include: itching tingling numbness burning general fatigue flu-like symptoms fever swelling of the lymph nodes in the area of outbreak headache painful urination pain in the buttocks, back of legs, lower back Cycle of a typical outbreak or recurrence The symptoms of an active herpes outbreak or recurrence may occur in the following phases. Symptomatic Course of the Disease: Inflammation Swelling, tenderness, and/or redness that may appear before the actual outbreak, and may include itching, and sensitivity. The inflammation may never progress to blisters. Blisters One or several small fluid filled lesions, tiny red bumps, or rash may form and can resemble small fissures, especially near the anus. Ulcers When the skin breaks on the blisters, small, round, wet looking, ulcers leaking clear to milky colored fluid can be seen Crust The sores begin to dry, scab, and crust over beginning the healing process. The virus may possibly still be present until the ulcer has completely healed, and the scab falls off. NOTE: the sores do not always crust before healing. Healing New skin is formed and may look slightly red, or silver. Viral replication is complete, the virus has left the skin's surface, and the skin is now safe to touch. Healing of the skin does not normally leave scarring. The virus then retreats into the nerves and lies dormant. Routine Check-ups A check up for herpes is important because: lesions can be overlooked lesions can be invisible to the human eye Mistaken Symptoms Herpes outbreaks can be mistaken for: insect bites jock itch abrasions razor burn yeast infections hemorrhoids ingrown hair follicles There are many conditions and STDs that are often confused with herpes. Should any of these symptoms occur, consult your doctor or other healthcare provider immediately. Genital herpes should be diagnosed and treated professionally.
if there is any chance he has something serious, he should seek medical attention, not photos at Google and opinions at Yahoo. This is how Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) get passed - because someone doesn't treat it correctly.
ummmm.... go to a doctor. wow that was a hard question to answer... whew! i better take a break.
Don't ask stranger medical questions. Go get tested.
its just probably a boil or something
you can give someone herpes even if you dont have any signs or symptoms of the virus. its possible to spread herpes without showing symptoms. Usually it stings or burns when you urinate.
I don't think that it is herpes. I am telling you this from experience. My boyfriend had the exact same thing. At first we thought it was Herpes because I had had a cold sore at the time when he got this. But it was nothing at all, just an ingrown hair. Nothing to worry about! Just have him wait about a week to see if its gone by then. If its not, then maybe he should book an appointment. But it should be gone by then. Hope this helps!
if you are seriously worried, go to a free clinic. also, no need to freak out - i seriously doubt you or your boyfriend is going to spontaneously combust... unless you continue to stress out.
If it was a blister that turned into an ulcer, than chances are good that it is. If it comes back then it defenietly is. Go to a clinic and get the ulcer looked at and tested to know for sure. The only thing you can do is go yourself to get checked. If it is herpes, then thats up to you whether you stay with him or not. Unfornuately it is a permanent disease, but Valtrex is a very effective medication for it but is very expensive if you dont have health insurance. Other things you can do is to avoid stress, take lysine supplements, and avoid taking arginine as much as possible.
sounds like an ingrown hair. They can get infected much like a pimple and they hurt HORRIBLY. genital herpes would be more spread. There wouldn't be just one. It also wouldn't just SUDDENLY pop up. He may need to have a doctor check it for him though, because I had an ingrown hair for about 3 years that just kept getting infected and it hurt horribly. Especially when its in the groin area. YIKES!
Have your bf go to a doc right away to get both a blood test and a viral culture. If he tells the doc he has an open lesion, they'll see him quickly. It is important that he does it right away...as there is a limited amount of time that a viral culture will show what exactly it is. It could be herpes. The pics they have on the internet are worst case scenarios and don't look like most cases. Also, don't listen to these folks about "boils" and pimples, etc. Just go get him checked out. Trust me. I went through it. Good luck.
I think herpes is lots of sores not just one. Could be syphilis though I know it starts with one sore.
Yes, it sounds like herpes to me. I understand an initial outbreak generally occurs around two weeks after getting infected. While some people get covered in raw lesions with the first outbreak, some just get a little pimple like spot and there are others who become carriers and don't break out at all, ever. He needs to see the doctor while he has the sore so a culture can be taken.
it could be anything including herpes if it is honey he's cheating
try giving him oral and if u get it around ur mouth, it may or may not be herpes
coud be hiv
how some people are so rude about this stuff until it happens to them! usually herpes comes as an open sore...like a thin paper cut. now along with there being a bump present...not too sure about. but i hope all turns out okay.
For those of you who think that cold sores are different from Herpes, you are so, so, so wrong. Cold sores are oral Herpes and can be transmitted genitally if someone who has oral Herpes performs oral sex on a non infected person. That means it can happen even if you do hot have an obvious cold sore. Because the virus can "shed" which means it can at times be present on the skin with no visible signs of an outbreak. You can also have either form of Herpes for years and not know it because it actually lies dormant in the majority of people. Which is why 90% of people with genital herpes don't even know that they have it. It is a very, very common virus.