Friction Blisters or Herpes

I started having sex with a new guy about a week ago today. We had unproctected sex 4 times in one week. The day after the last sexual act, he called me complaining about painful blisters on the foreskin of his penis. I, on the other hand, have had no symptoms of anything and I was last checked for std's back in october of last year (i havent had sex up until I met this guy). Could it be because of too much sex? He said the blisters arent oozing and today, he said they were less painful. Are the blisters due to friction or something more sinister like Herpes? Wouldnt I have had symptoms even if I was affected? Would he show symptoms so soon? I'm scared!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
These can be due to friction blisters or bacterial skin infections but it is always advisable to get investigated for herpes if the blisters are painful and scab over. After initial infection, the virus moves to sensory nerves (sacral ganglia), where it becomes latent and reside life-long, though the viral shedding may still occur. This infection is usually transmitted by direct contact with a lesion or the body fluid of an infected individual and thus may spread through skin-to-skin contact or through sexual contact

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. Treatment can be started only when the diagnosis is confirmed. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[FallenAngel2011]

Thank you for responding. Last Tuesday, I went in and had several std testing done, including two blood tests for syphilis and Herpes. On Friday, the nurse told me that I needed to come in to speak with the Dr., meaning one of those tests came back POSITIVE( I know its not chlamydia or gonnorhea (Gonorrhea) because my pap results havent returned)! Today, I will be going in to see what unfortunate news the doctor has for me. I am certain it will be positive for Herpes as the guy isnt exhibiting any symptoms that relate to syphilis. He did tell me that the bumps are vanishing and the head of his penis is dry and chaffing with some soreness. I will keep you informed of my results today.