I have been having unprotected sex with a girl for about 2 weeks now and I just noticed small raised bumps on my penis. These bumps look like pimples but can not be popped. They are not clustered like many herpes websites say and it doesnt look like many of the pictures of herpes. They seem as if the middle kind of opens up a bit and then they crust over. They are itchy/kinda painful at times. Right now I notice one little bump at the base of my penis, two bumps on one side, and one bump on the other side. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT....

If you currently have the sores, it would seem that the best thing to do would be to go have a swab done. Go to a clinic (ie planned parenthood)--- they reserve a certain amount of spots for situations like this--- tell them you think that have an STD and need to get in ASAP. Good luck... I hope it's nothing...

I hope its nothing also! I guess I am just trying to get some input on what it may be before I see a doctor. Maybe somebody can enlighten my spirits!

I totally understand----
I would love to say it's nothing and I truly hope that that is the case. In truth there ARE many things that can cause bumps anywhere on the body.
Any chance you've been able to talk with your partner about it? Any insight there? I know that seeing a doctor is that last thing that you want to do--- I
understand and I'm sorry if my reply wasn't upbeat and affirming of your not needing to worry. It really could be anything. Have you done anything different lately? Changed detergents? Has the sex been really rough? Have you worn an abrasive fabric?

I havent spoken to my partner about anything yet. I guess I want to know before I bring it up. We have been seeing each other for about 3 weeks now and whenever I am with her the sex is vigerous and lasts for 45min- 1 hour. This can be multiple times a night. So I would say yes to vigerous sex, but no to all the other things you stated. Like I said, I read up on Herpes through many websites and they all seem to say the same thing about the virus being "clustered" None of the bumps are clustered. They dont fill with fluid/puss/etc... They just seem to open a SLIGHT bit in the middle where it will begin to scab over. They are somewhat painful but not that bad. I have one on the right side of the shaft, 2 on the left side, and one at the base in the hairline. I noticed them two days ago and they are starting to get crusty.

Also...how long does it usually take for an initial outbreak? I have read 2-10 days. How true is this?

Hey,
The bumps you have could be anything. The only way you´ll know is to have them cultured or if that´s not possible, and in any case, you should have a type specific blood test done, to figure out if it´s hsv, and if so if it´s hsv-1 or hsv-2. Bare in mind that the blood test is only accurate 12-16 weeks after you started to have symptoms, it takes time for the body to build antibodies to herpes.

The thing about herpes is that the symptoms can be many and varied. So looking at the web and selfdiagnosing does not always work. Blisters, bumps, lesions, cuts show up in clusters or not, sometimes it´s just one bump or blister, sometimes redness, a rash etc. etc..

I know you´re worried, but try to calm down. Get the blood test when the time is due.

And please remember that even if it would turn out positive it´ll not be the end of the world :)!

Meanwhile, remember to practice safe sex, that should be the standard anyway.

Good luck, you´ll be fine!

Thanks for the re-assurance! I know I will be fine but the thought of just having GH is killing me. Now I'm starting to think about how I might tell my partner and how they may react...GIVEN it is GH. This is absolutley killing me inside. I can't even sleep at night now. Thank god I have the doctor tomorrow. I hope all is well...............

i know exactly where youre coming from...when i wasnt sure i laid away in bed all night and cried most the time...then i found out i had it and thought i was gonna die...
my mom told me that i was the same person i was before i found out and that helped a little...i think after finding out time is the only thing that helps at all. even though it is still hard after. i just tried to research as much as i could to understand it...and keep up on new things that are being tested to help...hope everything goes well at your dr. appt. and hopefully its not herpes at all!

Thanks for the comment! I need things like this to keep my head up. are you outbreak free? what are you taking?

i dont really have much for outbreaks. when i have i actually thought it was just an ingrown hair. i have a prescription for valtrex but im not really much for takin pills everyday so i just have it on hand and take it if i feel like i need to. i do feel like its just a pain in the butt...have u ever had a cold sore? im not sure if u said in your past posts...but i feel like its pretty much the same cept in a different place but down there it doesnt look at nasty as the cold sores ive gotten on my lip before.
can u send private messages on this site?

sure...you can send me a pm. Its funny because I have NEVER in my 27 years had a cold sore on my lip! Go figure now I might have something down below!

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well crap, i knew they used to have that feature! that sucks...hmmm...
yeah ive had cold sores since i was little...the doctor told me at first through everything i went through to be diagnosed that if u have hsv-1 its harder to get hsv-2...but it didnt help me any!
are u having a culture done tomorrow? (well today now) ill be hoping the best for ya!