Question:
ok i have been with this guy for 2 years and we split a few times and he said sex with other girls. but we haven't had sex since the last time we split. i have no signs or symptoms but he is worried about some places on the base of his penis. he shaves everything down there and he has pimple like bumps he read that that is common but at his age it shouldn't be. he is 22 and the bumps are just like small pimples at the base of the penis where the hair line starts. but they dont break out and become a lesion its just bumps. he is scared to go to the doctor so he is looking for information and i am just tryin to help him out. what could this be? i have heard it may just be infected hairs, pimples, rash, and all that but could i post a pic or something and let you all see if its nothing to worry about? let me know thanks

Answer:
Ashley you are smart to try and get answers. You should think about your health before his and wait until he has been tested before taking a risk.

For starters he needs to grow up, not be afraid of the dr and go get an examination of those bumps and some tests. This is the only way you are going to know for sure if what he has is herpes or any other kind of sti. No one on this list can diagnose him.

There is no cure for herpes. It is contagious and you can spread it through intercourse and oral sex. Condoms are not 100% effective against spreading herpes.

Everyone has a different experience with herpes. The sores and/or outbreaks vary greatly from person to person. As you may know coldsores or feverblisters are a form or herpes and most people don't know that they can be spread to other parts of the body.

Further, most dr's don't include tests for herpes in the standard sti screenings and it is possibe to have it and spread it to others without knowing.

I recommend seeing a dr to know for sure if this is herpes. I'd also note that if he had sex with someone in the past month and became infected he could still have a false negative test. The blood test detects antibodies which usually can be detected about 8-16 weeks after exposure. A swab of the sores or bumps could show a true result if they are not already healing.

Answer:
when you say a swab of the sore or bumps? should they be open? cuase his never break out and heal up they heal just like a pimple. there is just alot of them, he thinks its just from shaving and cutting up the skin. but how can u swab the sore or bumps? just rub over them? i know he should go to the doctor and he is soon as he gets his insurance, but until then i am just gettin info on it before he goes. cause he has had similar bumps that just say there, and he says they have been there way before he ever had sex and i know he aint lieing cause if it was herpes i would have it cause of the last 2 years we have had together and the sex we have had. but does with every breakout do u get cold sores? cause he dont get those either. just someone help me out a little so i can help him through this and hopefully he can turn out testing negative. thanks

Answer:
all I can give you is my own experience.

No you don't need big open sores to get a swab. All I had were 3 tiny blistery looking bumps. (smaller than the head of a pin) I went in the day they showed up and had them swabbed. (I recommend he go in the day any sores or bumps show up.) The dr took a big q-tip and ran it lightly over the top of the blisters. Within a week they had the results.

The virus can be present on the skin even without a sore which is why so many people become infected when their partner has no symptoms or signs of an outbreak.

Answer:
so if the bumps are gone what is your suggestion on what he should get a blood test or what? he is going to the doctor its just the job he is at dont give him his benefits which will hopefully cover some of it for a little while. so they prolly wont be there when he goes. do all outbreaks though cause coldsores?

Answer:
so if the bumps are gone what is your suggestion on what he should get a blood test or what? he is going to the doctor its just the job he is at dont give him his benefits which will hopefully cover some of it for a little while. so they prolly wont be there when he goes. do all outbreaks though cause coldsores? I havent read this whole post but, EITHER WAY, he's had sexual encounters with other females since you, he should still get tested. Just like if you have had sexual encounters since him, you should get tested.

Some men get growths on their penis's that are like skin tags...doesnt sound like thats what they are, but it could be. It could be herpes, could be staph, COULD BE anything, so get tested.

Answer:
and as i said he is gonna get tested i am just lookin for some help so i can let him know what else it maybe so he dont go insane. cause right now that is all that is going through his head. the thing is his last encounter with sex was 2 months ago and these bumps are just now coming up. 95% of them are at the base of a hair which is why he thinks its ingrown hairs. but there are a few that are not at the base of a hair. but i know he needs tested and he is gonna get it i am just tryin to help i am sorry if i am asking stupid questions i am just worried about him. and i wanna come to him with some encouraging words instead of just get tested, i dont want him to think this is all it can be. thanks for everyones help though.

Answer:
all I can give you is my own experience.

No you don't need big open sores to get a swab. All I had were 3 tiny blistery looking bumps. (smaller than the head of a pin) I went in the day they showed up and had them swabbed. (I recommend he go in the day any sores or bumps show up.) The dr took a big q-tip and ran it lightly over the top of the blisters. Within a week they had the results.

The virus can be present on the skin even without a sore which is why so many people become infected when their partner has no symptoms or signs of an outbreak. so ur tiny bumps did they test positive?

Answer:
so ur tiny bumps did they test positive? mine did. I caught them early on in my breakout