TeenHealthFX - Answers - Herpes And Shaving

Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Question
Published: September 26, 2002

Dear TeenHealthFX,

I tested positive for Herpes Simplex 2 a few months ago. I was wondering if the Herpes test could get regular pimples confused with a Herpes outbreak. Reason I am curious: I started shaving my pubic hair when I became sexually active. Not long after I started shaving, I noticed a couple, maybe three, pimples develop at the base of my penis. They were there for about a week and then were gone for about a month. This went on for a while before I went to the doctor to get tested. I thought they were just pimples because I had no other symptoms from what I read online. It has been about 3 months since I stopped shaving my pubic hair and I have not had an outbreak since. Could the test have messed up? Some other stuff that might help. I have acne on my jaw line from shaving my facial hair. Don't know if that has any relevance. Once last thing - I also have pubic hair on my penis itself. The hair covers my body to about 1/3 of my penis length. IS this something to be concerned about?

Signed: Herpes And Shaving

Dear Herpes And Shaving,

As you know, Herpes II is a virus usually found in the genital area that causes outbreaks. Typically, infected persons will develop one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving tender sores that may take some time to heal. Although the blisters may look similar to pimples, they are quite different in nature. Whereas the herpes blisters are a result of the virus living inside of the infected person's body, pimples are caused by oil build-up in your pores.

To determine if a herpes virus is causing sores different types of tests may be done:

Herpes viral culture. A small sample of a sore and/or the fluid inside it is collected with a cotton swab and placed in a container along with cells in which the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) can grow. If HSV grows in the culture, it causes changes in the cells that can be seen under a microscope. A viral culture is considered the most accurate method of diagnosing a genital herpes infection.

Herpes virus antigen detection test. Cells from a fresh sore are scraped off and then dabbed or rolled onto a microscope slide. This test detects markers, called anitgens, on the surface of cells infected with the herpes virus. This test may be done in addition to a viral culture.

Tzanck Test. A small piece of a sore and the fluid inside it are scraped off and spread on a slide, then colored with a special dye and examined under a microscope. HSV usually causes abnormally large cells that can be seen with the microscope.

Herpes virus DNA detection. This test can be done on material from a sore or on blood or other fluid. It detects the genetic material, or DNA, of the HSV virus.

Antibody Tests. Blood tests can detect anitbodies made by the immune system to fight a herpes infection. Antibody tests are occasionally done, but are not as accurate as a viral culture.

Since you do not specify what test you had, TeenHealthFX doesn't know how your diagnosis was made. The above mentioned tests are quite reliable but false positive tests can rarely occur. As you can see, these tests are quite specific and are looking for the presence of a particular virus that is not be present in pimples. You can get retested if it will set your mind at ease, but this must be done when you have a sore or a pimple.

If you live in northern New Jersey you can make an appointment at the Adolescent/Young Adult Center For Health by calling 973.971.6475. If not, a local teen health center or Planned Parenthood can see you confidentially without your parent's consent and on a low/no cost basis.

Lastly, it is very possible that your skin may be irritated from shaving and so has had a mild reaction in the form of these red bumps.

Do a keyword search of FX using "herpes" to find the many other answered questions on this topic. Also, do one on shaving to learn about proper ways of shaving and common skin irritations that can occur.

Signed: TeenHealthFX