Vaginal boils vs Herpes: What Are Their Differences?

Key takeaways

• Genital herpes is a viral disease that causes blisters in and around your genital region. In contrast, genital boils (also commonly referred to as vaginal boils) are caused by whereas bacterial infections.
• Genital herpes presents as blisters that eventually form painful sores, while vaginal boils are pus-filled bumps that cause pain and swelling.
• Genital herpes often requires antiviral medication. In contrast, vaginal boils usually resolve with home treatments like a warm compress and sitz bath.

Vaginal boils are pus-filled bumps of varying sizes that occur in your mons pubis (the hair-covered flesh over your pubic bone), your vagina lips, and sometimes the groin area above the pubic bone. A bacterial infection causes vaginal boils. They are usually not very serious and are quite common among women. 

Genital herpes, on the other hand, is a group of blisters that can occur on your genitals, and they contain clear or white fluid when ruptured. This viral infection is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and manifests with various symptoms.

Both vaginal boils and genital herpes release fluids when ruptured. However, they have different causes, symptoms, and treatment options. 

What is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is a viral infection that is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. It is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), which causes fluid-filled sores or blisters around the genital areas. There are two types of HSV: HSV I and HSV II.

• HSV I: This type of HSV causes cold sores in the mouth without any other symptoms. However, it can cause genital herpes if an infected person gives another person oral sex.
• HSV II: Causes genital herpes, which appear as sores in your genital area like your vagina, vulva, cervix, and anus. It is mainly transmitted through sex. 

Transmission of genital herpes

When HSV II gets into the body through skin abrasions or mucosal membranes—moist tissue that lines some organs and cavities, such as the mouth, nose, and genital areas—it causes genital herpes. It can be transmitted even when an infected person has no sores, although the risk is higher when active sores exist. 

Because this virus is found in bodily fluids like saliva, vaginal discharge, and semen, transmission is primarily by direct skin-to-skin contact during sexual intercourse with or without ejaculation. 

Infants can acquire HSV II from infected mothers during birth and HSV I via kissing. People with HSV I or II may be asymptomatic but infectious and can transmit these viruses unknowingly.

Causes of boil in the genital area

When Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria that naturally lives on the skin, gets into hair roots, an infection can occur. Cuts and abrasions are also ways staph and other bacteria can enter the body to cause an infection.

Medical conditions such as hidradenitis suppurativa, also known as acne inversa, can cause recurring vaginal boils.

Symptoms of genital boils vs genital herpes

The symptoms of vaginal boils and genital herpes differ significantly.

Symptoms of genital boils

Genital boils typically cause symptoms like:

• Bumps with whitish or yellow tips that contain pus
• Pain and tenderness at the site of the boil
• Discomfort while walking, sitting, or standing

Symptoms of genital herpes

Most times, people with genital herpes are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms like little bumps that can easily be mistaken for a pimple. Symptoms of genital herpes are called outbreaks. An outbreak is a blister or group of blisters that ooze clear yellow fluid.

Some areas where you can find these blisters include:

• Around the anus
• Around the vagina

If you are experiencing your first outbreak of genital herpes, you may notice:

• Flu-like symptoms such as body aches, fever, and sore throat
• Burning or itching sensations that often start before the appearance of blisters
• Swollen glands or lymph nodes around the area

Genital herpes is a lifelong infection; subsequent outbreaks are usually less intense and painful than the first. 

What do genital herpes blisters look like compared to vaginal boils?

Genital herpes manifests as white, yellow, or red translucent (semi-transparent) blisters against a background of visibly irritated skin. These blisters range between 1 and 3 millimeters, are irregularly shaped, and feel squishy when touched. 

Genital boils, on the other hand, are red or discolored bumps with a white or yellow tip. They start the size of a pimple and then get bigger over time. Initially, a boil feels firm to the touch, but when it gets larger, it may become tender. 

Treatment for Genital Herpes

Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral agent like acyclovir, which stops the replication of the virus and alleviates any symptoms you may be experiencing. Factors like whether it’s a primary or recurrent infection will affect the dosage and duration of use of antiviral medication.

Over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers and home remedies like sitz baths can also help reduce the intensity of symptoms during an outbreak.

Treatment for Genital boils

Genital boils often don't require medication. They usually resolve with home treatments. Home treatments include: 

• Sitz bath 
• Using a warm compress 
• Wearing comfortable, breathable underwear and pants. 

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if the boils persist even after home treatments.

Table summarizing the differences between vaginal boils and herpes

Tips for preventing genital herpes and genital boils

Here are tips to minimize the risk of having genital boils and herpes.

Tips for preventing genital herpes

To prevent genital herpes:

• Practice safe sex by using a condom during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Infection is still possible if the condom doesn’t cover the infected part.
• Avoid sharing sex toys and clean them properly before use. 
• Avoid having sex with your partner if they have blisters, sores, or any itching that could be warning signs of an outbreak. 

Tips for preventing genital boils

To reduce your risk of genital boils:

• Avoid vaginal, oral, or anal sex when your partner has genital boils. 
• Avoid sharing personal items like underwear, towels, razors, and sex toys.
• Dress genital cuts and wounds properly and with antiseptic to prevent infection.
• Practice personal hygiene to reduce the risk of developing genital boils.
• Shave your pubic hair toward hair growth to prevent in-grown hairs and the risk of developing a boil.

When to seek medical attention

Genital herpes can cause serious complications, especially in people with reduced immunity. You should seek medical attention if:

• You’re experiencing your first outbreak
• Subsequent outbreaks are more or equally as painful as the first
• You are pregnant
• You have flu-like symptoms
• The blisters and sores are extensive

For genital boils, seek medical attention if: 

• You have a fever
• The boil is large and painful
• The boil persists after two weeks of home treatments
• You’ve observed signs of an infection, like redness or swollen lymph nodes around the boil. 

Conclusion

Genital herpes and genital boils can look similar at some point in their development. However, major differences exist in their causes, modes of transmission, symptoms, and treatment. 

It is important to note that HSV currently has no cure. Management with antiviral medication and avoiding potential triggers are the only ways to reduce outbreaks. 

HSV lives inside nerve cells and alternates between being active and inactive. Common triggers that can activate the virus include sun exposure, injury, and stress.