Herpes or Razor Burn? The Age Old Question.

[ChaseChiger]

Hi, I'm Chase and I have a classic case of panicking about whether or not one of my multiple sex partners has inadvertently given me the herp. I'm a 22 year old woman, and it has been about 8 months since my last STD test (at which I was given the all clear). Since then, I have had five partners, including three total incidents of unprotected (no condom) sex (stupid stupid stupid, I know).

Well, two days ago, a bump appeared just outside of my outer labial lip. PANIC.
The bump is very small (maybe a quarter or a half the size of a pencil eraser), and on the hard side. It is irritated and red (partially because I can't stop trying to take a picture of it to get a good look), and it is topped with a scabbish discolored beige slightly rough cap. It is not oozing or bleeding and it does not feel like there is pus in it. It is tender to the touch, but not painful to sit on or walk with. It only hurts when I press it. I wouldn't worry about it, but a week or two ago I was feeling achy and had severe neck and back pain (which I soothed with a hot pillow), and I was feeling generally unwell for about a day. Also, the front of my vagina (the triangle where most of the pubic hair grows) was feeling a bit itchy, a few weeks ago, and now I'm justifying it all as symptoms of herpes after the fact.

So, finally, other factors include: I had sex five days ago. I shaved very quickly four days ago and the hair is just starting to grow back now. I was wearing extremely tight underwear which caused chafing on my thighs three days ago, which might have irritated the area. I had sex, which might have caused friction in the area.

Other information: I have had my HPV vaccination.

Could someone please put my mind at ease or else help me assess how serious the situation is?? I'm absolutely panicking about it, because (as much as I realize that Herpes is a ridiculously over-stigmatized disease) I'm really nervous that people won't want to date me if they know, and that I'll be a horrifying untouchable Herpes monster who is forever alone. What is the protocol on telling someone you have Herpes? How does this even work? It's like a horrible secret that I don't think I can keep.

Anyways, I'm setting up an appointment at my local clinic to test for any and all STDs I may carry (it's about that time of year anyways!) but please help me out. Thank you so much, I really appreciate any and all input.  

[ChaseChiger]

Thanks Life360, that does put me at ease a bit. I suppose what I'm nervous about is that I read (thank you google) that Herpes sometimes presents with very mild symptoms. Is it possible that I might have the virus, but presenting in this less severe way? or Does it sound like that is impossible. How common is that sort of unusual presentation?

Additionally, for an update, It is now three days since I noticed the bump, and it has remained about the same level of sensitivity, though the beige cap I spoke about peeled off, so it is now smooth and a tiny bit raw.

Also thanks for the tip about testing, I suppose I'll go anyways to make sure everything else is in order, but it would be nice to know whether or not this was a possibility. ho hum.

[Life360_Dave]

Hi, what your describing does not appear as a herpes outbreak from your last affair but would seem an irritation from shaving. Genital herpes are very often painful, not hart, but soft with clear liquid inside and commonly with one sore showing up, it opens and spreads  the virus in a cluster grouping to the immediate area. Only testing at the 3 month more would confirm a recent infection or a swab of the sore taken within 48 hours after appearing.