Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
STDs (Expert Forum)
Acne-like on penis/Swollen nodes
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
Acne-like on penis/Swollen nodes
by brian_bpower, Aug 02, 2005 12:00AM
Dear doc,
I had a casual encounter with a guy of unknown status.
I performed unprotected oral sex on him, might had some precum, but definitely no ***. I was also the receiver (bottom) in a protected anal sex with him. Four weeks after the encounter (27 days), I got tested for gonorrhea, syphillis,chlamydia, hepatitis B, and HIV (ELISA). All came back negative. Six weeks after the encounter (43 days), I got tested for HIV again. It's an OraQuick blood test. The 20 minutes test. The result was negative.
1. I could feel the nodes on my neck and my groin before I got tested. I think they might be swollen. Since my HIV test is neg, is it safe to assume that the nodes that I felt were not related to HIV.
2. But 2 days ago, I woke up with a pain on my penis. So I checked it out and found out a raised bump on the left side of my penis shaft. It looked like a pimple to me. So I popped it, and a white acne-like stuff came out. And right now, it's still bumpy and reddish, and it's slightly sore when it's pressed. I think it's in the state of healing. I'm really concern that this might be a herpes or warts. Is this a symptom for herpes or genital warts? I'm worried cause I dont get tested for herpes or genital warts?
For your information, after that last sexual encounter, about 10 days ago, I had mutual masturbation with two other guys, with anal stimulation. I did not have oral or anal sex with them. So, I think I was exposed only to their precum on
my penis and rectum area
I had a casual encounter with a guy of unknown status.
I performed unprotected oral sex on him, might had some precum, but definitely no ***. I was also the receiver (bottom) in a protected anal sex with him. Four weeks after the encounter (27 days), I got tested for gonorrhea, syphillis,chlamydia, hepatitis B, and HIV (ELISA). All came back negative. Six weeks after the encounter (43 days), I got tested for HIV again. It's an OraQuick blood test. The 20 minutes test. The result was negative.
1. I could feel the nodes on my neck and my groin before I got tested. I think they might be swollen. Since my HIV test is neg, is it safe to assume that the nodes that I felt were not related to HIV.
2. But 2 days ago, I woke up with a pain on my penis. So I checked it out and found out a raised bump on the left side of my penis shaft. It looked like a pimple to me. So I popped it, and a white acne-like stuff came out. And right now, it's still bumpy and reddish, and it's slightly sore when it's pressed. I think it's in the state of healing. I'm really concern that this might be a herpes or warts. Is this a symptom for herpes or genital warts? I'm worried cause I dont get tested for herpes or genital warts?
For your information, after that last sexual encounter, about 10 days ago, I had mutual masturbation with two other guys, with anal stimulation. I did not have oral or anal sex with them. So, I think I was exposed only to their precum on
my penis and rectum area
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Aug 03, 2005 12:00AM
, Aug 03, 2005 12:00AM
1) Yes, you can be certain the apparently swollen lymph nodes are not due to HIV. Of all causes of lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes), HIV is pretty uncommon. But if you're uncertain whether your lymph nodes are enlarged, you should see a health care provider.
Although you clearly didn't get HIV from that particular exposure, it sounds like you have a pretty high risk lifestyle. I urge you to never have sex with another guy unless you know for sure he is HIV negative; and always use condoms.
2) Your description sounds like a pimple, just as you suspect. It doesn't sound much like herpes. However, herpes is a highly variable disease and I can't be certain. It certainly doesn't sound like warts, however.
You won't get HIV or other STDs from hand to genital or hand to anal stimulation.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Although you clearly didn't get HIV from that particular exposure, it sounds like you have a pretty high risk lifestyle. I urge you to never have sex with another guy unless you know for sure he is HIV negative; and always use condoms.
2) Your description sounds like a pimple, just as you suspect. It doesn't sound much like herpes. However, herpes is a highly variable disease and I can't be certain. It certainly doesn't sound like warts, however.
You won't get HIV or other STDs from hand to genital or hand to anal stimulation.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Just out of curiosity, have you had any luck getting men to put condoms on before oral sex? Where would one meet such a man?
I also sleep with men and I just made it through a similar HIV scare, luckily coming out negative after 12 weeks. I know Dr. HHH says not to have sex with him until you've gotten to know him well and make him use a condom, and I have been sticking to his advice for the last few months, but where I live (NY), sticking to your guns on oral sex makes it impossible to get to know ANYONE, since everyone will decide you're a weirdo before they even go on a 3rd or 4th date. For anal sex, everyone knows to use a condom, but for oral sex, I feel like I'm from Mars when I ask guys to wear one.
My gut instict tells me I will never be able to enjoy gay oral sex for the rest of my life!!
JV
But one thing I learn from that event is that WE have the power to make the choice. If he doesnt want to put it, then dont do it. My friend told me to "Do what you're comfortable with". If not, you are gonna be like me, constantly worrying, feeling guilty, etc.
Thanks for the comment and advice. Will do.
I have another question:
Two days ago, I happened to feel the area around my ear (particularly behind my ear).
And I found a lump on the pointy skull behind my right ear. I am really freaking out. My best guess is that it is a lymph node. I can really feel the bump when I feel around that area.
My question is: if you can feel nodes (bump/lump), does it mean that the nodes are swollen?
And I think i also felt another lump in my groin area, although not that apparent.
Hi, I just read your reply, thanks for telling me about your experience.
Trust me, I was in the exact same place a couple weeks ago, worrying about HIV because of the unprotected oral sex. But my guess is that the Doctor will probably tell you that the 6-week test is definitive and, if you want further assurance, you simply have to take the 12-week test to be 100% certain.
I know it's hard not to read your symptoms with a close eye, but you just have to rely on your 6-week test and wait patiently until your 12-week test. Most of the studies show oral sex is low risk, and you didn't do any anal without a condom, so don't stress too much. You're probably negative. The most comforting thing for me was to keep reminding myself, "it's been x number of weeks since i did something risky....." and i keep letting the weeks rack up (i am at 13 now) and that makes it easier to wait out the 12 weeks. Other than that, nothing that anybody can say can really ease your mind. Swollen lymph nodes might mean anything.
Stay strong!