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.
Dermatology (Expert Forum)
\Very, very scared about Herpes
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
\Very, very scared about Herpes
by heythere1980, Oct 29, 2005 12:00AM
Dear Doctor,
I went to one of these walk-in clinics today after disocovering four puffy raised red-brownish spots (in a small clustered area) on my penis last night.
I was immediately convinced it must be herpes - with the cluster, the look, and the fact there is minor pain, minor itch etc. However, the doctor took a quick look at them and said they do not appear to be blisters. I also noticed white stuff, believed to be puss, in the area last night. He said that is another sign they are not herpes.
Because of that, he said he really didn't think it was herpes. Rather, he referred to it as a bacterial infection (I didn't know you can get that in the genital area).
Because I insisted, he took a swab but told me it would come back negative in a week. He kept telling me I have to relax and calm down about it because it's not herpes.
Then, he prescribed me anti-bacterial lotion and an anti-viral lotion. On the anti-viral lotion, it says the medication is often used to treat genital herpes, which scared me yet again. Why would he give me that if he didn't think it was herpes.
Anyway, unfortunately it's the weekend so my family doctor, who I trust is not in for a few days. Does what the walk-in doctor said make sense to you?
I am still freaking out and am convinced this doctor might be wrong.
Scared in Toronto
I went to one of these walk-in clinics today after disocovering four puffy raised red-brownish spots (in a small clustered area) on my penis last night.
I was immediately convinced it must be herpes - with the cluster, the look, and the fact there is minor pain, minor itch etc. However, the doctor took a quick look at them and said they do not appear to be blisters. I also noticed white stuff, believed to be puss, in the area last night. He said that is another sign they are not herpes.
Because of that, he said he really didn't think it was herpes. Rather, he referred to it as a bacterial infection (I didn't know you can get that in the genital area).
Because I insisted, he took a swab but told me it would come back negative in a week. He kept telling me I have to relax and calm down about it because it's not herpes.
Then, he prescribed me anti-bacterial lotion and an anti-viral lotion. On the anti-viral lotion, it says the medication is often used to treat genital herpes, which scared me yet again. Why would he give me that if he didn't think it was herpes.
Anyway, unfortunately it's the weekend so my family doctor, who I trust is not in for a few days. Does what the walk-in doctor said make sense to you?
I am still freaking out and am convinced this doctor might be wrong.
Scared in Toronto
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Oct 30, 2005 12:00AM
, Oct 30, 2005 12:00AM
I think what the walk-in doctor makes perfect sense. I think he gave you the lotion because it's antibacterial, not because of its antiviral properties. If he really thought it was a virus, he wouldn't have treated you just with a lotion but would have used an oral antibiotic. I'm confident that the viral swab will turn out to be negative.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
He referred to the area as a rash.
Sorry about that.
He gave me two medications - 1. anti-viral. 2. anti-bacterial
I'm confused why he would have given me an anti-viral one.
Still waiting for the results, but a couple of those red spots seemed to fall off in the shower (four days after I first noticed them and six days after I first felt sensitivity in the area) and a couple are still there.
Around them appears to be a lot of white dry peeling off skin.
Does this mean anything?
I went to my family doctor, who said they were scabs and seemed to not be too concerned,saying he highly doubted it was herpes. He told me to relax and wait for the results. He said scabs form for reasons other than herpes.
But I thought scabs and herpes go hand-in-hand.
Anyway, despite having three people tell me it seems not to be herpes, I am still having a lot of trouble believing it because I still feel a minor pain and minor burning from the area.