HERPES

Bump for a Year

Dear Dr. Rob:

Hi my name is Samantha. I had sex when I was 14. I was just a couple of months away from turning 15. After I had sex a couple of days I noticed something different. I noticed that I had a bump on my private part and it was kind of big. There are only 4 people who know that I already had sex, that’s even including you. My parents or brothers don’t even know. If they found out they would be very mad. It itches sometimes and I do not hurt at all. I need your help. I am about to turn 16 and that means it’s been over a year and I still today have that bump and it’s in the same place. I am scared and I have no I clue what it could be. So could you please help me? I don’t know what to do. I am afraid to ask for help.

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Dr. Rob’s Response:

Dear Samantha:

If you’ve had the bump for over a year it is unlikely that you do have herpes. The only way to be sure is to test for herpes using the Herpes Select Test. I realize in your situation, that may be somewhat difficult, but there are places where you could be tested, without necessarily having them notify your parents. It is important, given your sexual activity, that you find out if you have herpes because if you do, you can pass it on to your partner and you really wouldn’t want to do that.

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