Follicalitus???

[beatroot]

I am a mid 20's male and have been having unprotected sex with my girlfriend for 4 years. My girlfriend recently was diagnosed with genital herpes. Eight weeks after our last intimate encounter, I took the Western Blot Herpes blood test that turned out to be negative for genital herpes. Since then (approximately 2-3 months after my blood test), I noticed ONE reddish postule in the pubic hair above my penis. The postule was circular in the center with a raised bumb which seemed to be puss filled (to small to be certain). The center was approximately a few milimeters in diameter. Around the raised area was a unraised deeper reddish egg shaped circle. Off to one side of the postule, the skin was pinkish in color in an area of about one half square inch which disappeared in a matter of few days. I have not experienced any pain or discomfort what so ever. I do not even feel any discomfort to touch either. However, I do experience some itching (experienced many times before) in the area where the top of my inner thigh meets my torso which does not seem to be connected. It has been a little over a month and the postule has healed only slightly but has not gotten worse.

I have a tendency for oily skin and have experienced smaller yet similar symptoms on my thighs and back in the past. I always wrote them off as acne but never experienced any symptoms in my groin area. I am not certain if they are related or not. I spoke to my doctor and he stated that it sounded like a irritated hair follicle and I need not worry.

However, I am worried/panicked that this may be a symptom of Herpes. Does it sound like Herpes to you? Please help!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I think your doctor is right--this certainly sounds like folliculitis--a blocked hair follicle--rather than herpes.  Hepres presents as a cluster of blisters that last 7-10 days.

Your girlfriend can minimize the chance of transmitting herpes by avoiding intimacy when she has an outbreak.  She can transmit the virus even between attacks, however.  You can reduce this risk by using a condom, but if the two of you are going to stay together for a long time, you will need at some point to consider taking the risk of having unprotected sex.

In the meantime, however, it doesn't sound as though you've contracted anything.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[beatroot]

Thank for your feedback. I appreciate it.

Is follicalitus contagous? How long does it usually take to heal? How or should I treat it?

In what situations can herpes be transmitted from the oral to genital region? My girlfriend has never had a symptom of oral herpes but I am wondering if I should take any precautions in protecting myself while having oral sex performed on me.

Do you have any thoughts on the accuracy of the Western Blot blood test? Every resource that I have come accross states that there is 99% accuracy and is the industry standard blood test to determine if the body has ever been exposed to Herpes 1 or 2.

Thank you!

[Cpt Kelp]

Hey Beatroot, like the doc said it very well could be folliculitus (folliculitis)....what's the Dr's opinion of Molluscum contagiosum though? You descriptor sorta hits the nail on the head of symptomatic MCV. Was it just one?

[beatroot]

Thanks for the input. Yes it was just one in the groin area. I have had similar but minor symptoms on my thigh and back.

[boobear7881]

I have tiny pimple like biumps around my anus? They arent pussing at all? What could they be? They have been there for months? help?