Time before symptoms show.

Dear just_me_c,

I hope I can help you here.

if it is herpes, can it show up so quickly?

The herpes virus can lay dormant for various time periods and may be in your system for a time period before any symptoms begin to show.  The usual incubation period of the virus (time before any symptoms show) is approximately two to twelve days after the first exposure to the virus. 

wouldnt it be odd to show up in a place where there is pubic hair instead of on my penis, or around the base of my penis (both of which were unprotected)

No, not necessarily.  The herpes virus can transmit to any skin area or mucous membrane in which it comes into contact with.  This could simply be the area that made contact with the initial infection.

and third, many of the pictures that i have seen of herpes dont exactly match up to what i am experiencing, these "zits" do not sit on the skin as has been characterized by herpes, making them easy to pop and puss, rather, they are relatively hard, and do pop, but with a bit of effort.

Best of luck,

Cindy Robinson