Do I need to get tested for herpes?

[Pleasehelpppp]

So I'm 19 years old, living in Florida. Having sex with one person who hasn't slept with anyone else for about 2 months. Recently I have had an issue with tiny redish/skin colored bumps around my vaginal area along with extremely dry flaky skin. This never irritated or bothered me a lot, although it tends to get itchier the longer the day goes on. In the past I've had 1 or 2 breakouts around that area that went away in a day or so and razor bumps that were slightly itchy occasionally. Never scaly or dry skin though. For about a week it was just the bumps, which went away for a few days, then came back with dry skin. I have switched my razor and bought nonscented body wash but this doesn't seem to be helping a lot. Nothing abnormal with discharge and no painful blisters. Is it possible that I could have mild herpes?

[Life360_Dave]

Well since your having a vaginal issue you can tell your parents you need to see your GYNO for a checkup. Your doc can assist with the test but maybe tell the doc you want to pay cash for the test. Its all confidential by law.

[Pleasehelpppp]

Is there a place that I can go see a doctor to get tested without my parents knowing or them charging my account/insurance? Because right now I'm living off my parents money and I don't want them to know until I know for sure it is or isn't herpes

[Life360_Dave]

Do have a herpes swab test to confirm  but shaving the vaginal area is not a good idea and can lead to fungal and irritations as your experiencing. Maybe stop shaving for a while to let things heal.  If they come in the day and are gone in the morning its not suggestive of herpes at all.

[Pleasehelpppp]

They tend to flare up at night because it's the end of the day and in the morning they're generally gone. No obvious fluid or pain, but if it's not herpes I have no idea what it is. Just random widespread bumps and extremely dry skin?

[Life360_Dave]

Hi, i agree with Fleetwood and disagree with Bigtimeworried. These donot appear as a herpes out break at all. You mention coming and going in a day or so and your also shaving the area. Also herpes are not wide spread clusters but most often confined small clusters.
Also are not red under the skin bumps that disappear in a day but come to the surface and open releasing fluid.  It would be best to have them swabbed but should be within 48 hours after appearing also you can have a blood test at 8 week as an indicator. Your friend should be tested as well.

[Bigtimeworried55]

Are the bumps fluid filled? Visual diagnosis can sometimes be tricky with this virus, but it sounds to me like herpes.

Please make it a note to see your doc to have the lesions swabbed type specific for herpes. Also, a blood test at this point could help in seeing if you have the virus currently. It won't tell you however if the lesions you have genitally are herpes, but rather you have the virus.

Please find a way to test to confirm, but I disagree with Fleet, clusters if lesions is a typical presentation for herpes and not fungal.

[Pleasehelpppp]

What concerned me the most about if it was herpes or not was the fact that the small bumps were in widespread clusters on/around the vaginal surface

[Fleetwood20]

These do not sound like herpes lesions at all.

If you are having unprotected sex with a partner, then you may consider it worthwhile to have mutual STD testing including IgG antibodies for HSV1 and HSV2 to understand risks.