Genital Herpes Or Pimples

You might worry and wonder whether the pimple-like bumps on public area in males are genital herpes or pimples. Both look similar, and that is why many might confuse between the two. To know whether you have genital herpes or pimples, you need to learn more about their characteristics and distinguishing features.

Pimples are caused by the building up of oil and dirt on the pores. And if they occur on the genitals, they look red or pink and have pus in the center. Pimples on the genitals are harmless and usually not a serious condition that needs medical help.

On the other hand, genital herpes is an STD without any cure. It is infectious and can spread through sexual contact with an infected person. Genital herpes appears as red or white pimple-like bumps that have clear fluid in them. They are painful to the touch.

Here are some symptoms of both conditions to help you know whether you have genital herpes or pimples:

Both genital herpes and pimples contain pus, feel itchy, and sometimes appear in clusters. However, there are some specific symptoms of herpes that distinguish it from normal pimples.

Herpes symptoms usually do not appear immediately after you contract the infection. In fact, it can stay dormant for many years before showing any symptoms. When there is an outbreak, you will get white or red painful bumps on the genitals, anus, or around the mouth.

These bumps fill with pus and burst over time. Besides sores and blisters, you may get other symptoms such as fever, ache, discharge, and leg pain when you have genital herpes.

On the contrary, pimples do not have other accompanying symptoms. They might itch but do not hurt unless you apply pressure on the area. Pimples go away by themselves and do not require much medical attention.

When you are unsure whether the sores you have on your genitals are genital herpes or pimples, consulting a doctor is the best way to find out. Going for an STD test will also help you determine whether you have genital herpes or pimples and get the right treatment for the condition. For a genital herpes test, you will need to provide a swab of the pus or take an HSV test, herpes serologic test, or HSV culture test. 

Sometimes the doctor might just conduct a physical examination to tell whether you have genital herpes or pimples. Therefore, we suggest getting an STD test if you see any possible symptoms of an infectious disease.