Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Question
Published: February 5, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I have just been diagnosed with herpes, by a viral culture. I don't know if it is type I or II because my doctor told me knowing the difference was not necessary. My question is this... Every person I have had sex with, I have had oral sex with. But I have never broken out on my mouth at all. Also, the bumps were not on my vagina, they were in my pubic hair. Does this really sound like herpes? Could the test have been wrong?
Signed: Does This Sound Like Herpes?
Dear Does This Sound Like Herpes?,
Thank you for this question, you are not alone in having questions about Herpes, in fact check out some of the previous answers from TeenHealthFX Herpes and Shaving as well as Herpes and Oral Sex. TeenHealthFX can not provide a diagnosis via the internet, and if you have questions about your specific circumstances, you should visit the physician you saw previously, or another practitioner that you feel comfortable with. If you live in northern NJ you can call the
Here's some more information to assist you:
Herpes Simplex I is usually found on or around the mouth and Herpes Simplex II is often found in the genital area. However, outbreaks of either can occur in the mouth or genital area. So, it is in fact possible (again, we can not provide a diagnosis) for an outbreak to occur in an area other than the part of the body that was in direct contact with the infected partner, especially the first outbreak which often occurs in the genital area. Remember that Herpes is a viral infection that enters the bloodstream, and while there are treatments for symptoms, there is no cure. It is also possible (but highly unlikely) that the viral culture (a cotton swab dabbed on an infected sore then sent to a lab for testing) was a false positive.
In order to protect you and your partner, make sure to practice safe oral sex and safer sex by:
· Limiting partners
· Discussing with your partner your sexual history and any STD diagnoses
· Using protection such as latex, lubricated condoms or dental dams
· Getting regular examinations by a healthcare professional.
The good news is that the FDA has just approved a vaccine against the four most common types of HPV, types 16, 18, 11 and 6. The vaccine is called Gardisil and is given to females 9-26 years if age in a three dose series over a 6-month period. Studies have shown that this new vaccine is able to prevent the development of cervical cancer and pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix and genitals caused by the 4 most common HPV types, as well as preventing genital warts. The only reported side effect of the vaccine is some local tenderness at the injection site. One important thing to keep in mind is that there are many types of HPV, more than just the 4 most common types. Therefore, once you are immunized with the Gardisil vaccine, you are only protected against the 4 most common HPV types (16,18,11, and 6) so you have to continue to have your annual Pap smears with your regular physician in case you are infected with a less common form of HPV.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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