how do i know if i have herpies?
957204
Hi, We need to know more particulars regarding symptoms. Is the bump a pustule that comes to head and breaks?  Does the bump hurt? Where is the bump located?  The only real way to know for sure is to go to a doctor, but if any of the above apply it sounds like herpes.
358026
It could be Herpes zoster, but check webmd.com for better answers.
431857
Most people infected with HSV-2 are not aware of their infection. However, if signs and symptoms occur during the first outbreak, they can be quite pronounced. The first outbreak usually occurs within two weeks after the virus is transmitted, and the sores typically heal within two to four weeks. Other signs and symptoms during the primary episode may include a second crop of sores, and flu-like symptoms, including fever and swollen glands. However, most individuals with HSV-2 infection may never have sores, or they may have very mild signs that they do not even notice or that they mistake for insect bites or another skin condition.\n\nMost people diagnosed with a first episode of genital herpes can expect to have several (typically four or five) outbreaks (symptomatic recurrences) within a year. Over time these recurrences usually decrease in frequency.
934286
Are the "bumps" fluid filled (blisters) or solid? How long does it take for them to go away? What other things are you experiencing (does your groin hurt? do you have a vaginal discharge? If so, what color/consistency?) I agree with the other members advice that you need to go see your OBGYN and refrain from sexual contact until a diagnosis has been determined. If you have contracted herpes, although it is not cureable, it is certainly not the end of your sex life, you just have to be careful when you do have sex (use condoms, no sex when you are experiencing an outbreak) and good communication between you and your partner. One-third of the American population has some type of herpes infection (either genital or oral) although many do not experience any symptoms, only an ELISA (a type of diagnosic test) can determine if you have been infected if you have no symptoms. Because this test is extremely expensive most folks have no idea if they are infected. When you are having symptoms it is important to go see your doctor or nurse practitioner to prevent infection to others. \nEducate yourself about herpes and rest assure that you can have a natural childbirth, it is not a fatal disease, and be thankful that it is not HIV.
1146568
they could or they couldn't be\n\nits quite impossible to tell without a biopsy.  if you're worried, i suggest you go to a dermatologist and get it checked out\n\nbetter safe than sorry!
687926
Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease(oral sex included). It may be spread to the mouth(oral herpes) or to the genital area(genital herpes).It is a virus that lies dormant in your spinal cord(it never goes away) and when it becomes active it rises to the surface to reactivate. It usually reactivates itself in the area where the disease was first contracted. \nYou may contract this STD from someone who has an active herpes outbreak and the sores are visible or from someone who has never had an outbreak but still has the virus.\nMany people do not even know they have the disease because they never have a first outbreak or if they do it is mild. Then they may never have another for the rest of their lives.\nIf a first outbreak occurs it is usually 1 to 2 weeks after contracting the disease. It's very painful and starts with a tingling and/or itching in the infected area. Then bumps that look like tiny pimples appear. These "pimples" then pop and cause red sores that are very painful. They can last anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks depending on the person.\n1 in 4 people have herpes and there is no cure. Hope this helps.
1079053
most doctors can tell just by looking at the type of rash you have.  But, if they cant they will probably take a blood sample
154377
it could be a mild herpies infection. there are two types one is quite mild and one can be a b*tch. you should go to the doctor and get tested while the bumps are active ( culture) its better to know as this can be spread to the eyes and other areas of the skin. \nit may also be an allergic reaction to soap or other health care product.  \n  it  could be just a couple of pimples. only u and your doctor can tell for sure so dont put off a visit , ok
948129
Scabies would usually come at point of contact. So, I would expect you to have it on the hands first. \n\nYou said you had some lymph nodes in the neck area. Are you also feeling tired? Constipated? any unusual hair loss? Since you had shingles, I'm guessing you're over 40.\n\nA shot in the dark answer could be Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Autoimmune thyroid disease. It can cause severely itching skin along with the other symptoms I named.
894806
It is very important that you see a doctor.\n70% of people who get herpes got it from a partner that didn't have any symptoms. 1 our of 4 people have herpes and don't know it.\n\nBetter check with your doctor. You might have some other problem. And no unprotected sex
539995
could be heat, dehydration,  Hard to tell with out seeing them.  If the rashes are itchy could be bug bites or poision Ivy.  When in doubt take em in.
773063
These are not typical signs of herpes. You would experience extreme pain and in or around your vagina especially when you go pee. Stomach pain and loss of energy are not typical symptoms. You would get reddish or white soars on or in your vagina. They might bleed lightly but not even close to enough for period like blood. It sounds like you have maybe another problem. I would go to your doctor immediately. Good luck!!!
754813
The best way to tell is to have a blood test. You can have it and not show any symptoms. Or symptoms can be so mild that you don't even know you have it. I would say go to Planned Parenthood or ur local clinic and get checked
865009
when the herpes virus hits first it comes along with fever/pain. that's so sad, poor baby, yes have your doctor look in to it. hopefully it's nothing like that.
918089
How common is herpes? \nAbout 50 percent to 80 percent of the adult population in the United States has oral herpes (commonly called cold sores or fever blisters), with as many as 90% having the virus by age 50. \nMost people contract oral herpes when they are children by receiving a kiss from a friend or relative. \nAbout one in four persons in the United States has genital herpes; however, as many as 90 percent are unaware that they have the virus. There are many reasons people do not know they have herpes (see below). \nAnyone who is sexually active can contract genital herpes. \nHow is it transmitted?\n\nAny person who is sexually active can get genital herpes. \nHerpes is transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact. This occurs when a contagious area comes into contact with a tiny break in the skin or mucous membrane tissue, primarily the mouth and genitals. \nMost skin on the body is too thick for the virus to go through. \nIf a person with oral herpes (sometimes called cold sores or fever blisters) performs oral sex, it is possible for the partner to get genital herpes. \nIf a person with genital herpes has sex, it is possible for his or her partner to get genital herpes. \nGenital herpes can be transmitted sexually both when symptoms are present and sometimes when symptoms are not present. \nThere are several days throughout the year (called asymptomatic reactivation, asymptomatic shedding, or subclinical shedding) when the virus may be present on the surface of the skin, but there are no symptoms. Herpes can be passed through sexual contact during this time. \nThere are no documented cases of a person getting genital herpes from an inanimate object such as a toilet seat, bathtub, or towel. Herpes is a very fragile virus and does not live long on surfaces. \nTesting\nThere are different tests available for herpes. One test, a viral culture, can be done if you are experiencing symptoms. Blood tests are available for people who may not have had symptoms or if the signs have already healed. Not all tests are accurate, however, and many health care providers are unclear on which tests to perform. To find out more about getting an accurate diagnosis, visit our section on Testing. \nReduce your risk\nAny sexually active person may contract genital herpes. Aside from abstaining from sex or mutual monogamy with one uninfected partner, there are many options a couple may consider to reduce the risk of transmission.\n\nSince one in four persons is though to have herpes and the majority of people don't know, if a partner has ever been sexually active, it is possible that she or he could unknowingly have the virus too. Accurate blood tests:hyperlink are available to determine whether a person has antibodies for HSV. Knowing a partner's status can help a couple make a joint decision about whether they need to take steps to reduce the risk of transmitting HSV.\n\nIf one or both partners have herpes, it is important to become educated about herpes, to understand the basics of herpes prevention, and to make decisions together about which precautions are right for you.\n\nIf someone has signs or symptoms around the genital or anal region (genital herpes), he or she should not have sexual activity until all signs have healed.\n\nWhen there are no symptoms present, there is still the possibility of asymptomatic reactivation:hyperlink . Using latex condoms between outbreaks for genital-to-genital contact can reduce the risk of transmission. While condoms don't always cover the potential sites of viral shedding, they offer useful protection against the virus by protecting or covering the mucous membranes that are the most likely sites of transmission. Furthermore, keep in mind that condoms also help reduce the risk of acquiring another STD.\n\nOne antiviral medication for herpes, valacyclovir (Valtrex®), has been shown to reduce the risk of herpes transmission. When a person with a history of recurrent genital herpes takes
233242
The first outbreak usually occurs within two weeks after the virus is transmitted, and the sores typically heal within two to four weeks. \n\nBUT:\nRemember, most people infected with HSV-2 are not aware of their infection. However, if signs and symptoms occur during the first outbreak, they can be quite pronounced.\n\nHerpes infections can be difficult to diagnose between outbreaks. Blood tests, which detect HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection, may be helpful, although the results are not always clear-cut. \n\nhttp://www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/STDFact-Herpes.htm\n\n\nAbout one in four adults in the United States has genital herpes. However, most people don’t know they are infected because their symptoms are too mild to notice or mistaken for another condition.  http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn.cfm
29762
Herpes is not a skin disease, you can't catch it through air.\nHerpes is caused by a virus, either Herpes Simplex 1(HSV1) or Herpes Simplex 2 (HSV2). (These viruses belong to a family of viruses that include Epstein-Barr – which causes mono – and varicella zoster – which causes chicken pox and shingles.) It is currently estimated that 50 – 80% of North American adults have HSV1, and 20% have HSV2. \n\nAfter contact, some people will have no symptoms for months or even years, but usually, symptoms occur 10 days -2 weeks after exposure. An infected person will probably notice a sensitive, slightly swollen, sore area that feels hot to touch, itchy, and it tingles and throbs. This is called the prodronal stage. Then, an irregular-shaped lesion appears, very sore, red and ugly. The surface of this lesion sloughs off leaving a wet oozy sore. The liquid from this sore is loaded with the HSV. And is very contagious. The lesion will be present for a week to 12 days, and will gradually heal over, leaving no scar. \n\nThe virus has retreated down a nerve path and is stored in the spinal cord where it can be reactivated any time. Some people learn what will trigger another outbreak - sunshine, certain foods, (tomatoes, chocolate, pineapple) stress or a fever, (that is why some folks call them "fever blisters".) The first outbreak is usually the most severe. It can cause headaches, nausea and general malaise. After that the outbreaks usually lessen in severity and frequency. \n\nSome people will have a couple of outbreaks a year, but some women have an outbreak with the onset of every menstrual period, lasting up to two weeks, so they spend ½ their lives with cold sores. \n\nOther people are infected, carry the virus and never have an outbreak, but they can spread the virus by shedding (more later). \n\nHerpes 1 is usually cold sores on the mouth, commonly spread by kissing.\n\nHerpes 2 is usually on the genitals of either males or females. This is spread by nude genital contact with an infected partner. But here is the rub…. If you have a cold sore on your mouth and you "go down on" your partner, your lip virus can infect their genitals. And if partner has genital herpes and you "go down on" them, you can get Herpes 2 on your mouth. \n\n You do not get Herpes from toilet seats or door knobs, towels or bath tubs. \n\nDiagnosis is by smear and culture, done by your doctor or Sexual Health Clinic when you have an active lesion. There is also a blood test which is quite accurate. \n\nThere is no cure, you have it for life, but there is treatment for oral herpes, an oral medication which you take when you become aware of the prodronal symptoms. This may lessen and shorten the outbreak. For severe cases, the medication is taken every day to prevent an outbreak. This is very expensive and may not be covered by your drug plan.\nPlease go to thses sites to learn more\nhttp://www.talksexwithsue.com/herpes.html\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes\nhttp://www.herpeshelp.com/?rotation=12437409&banner=25520680