Herpes concern

[heythere1980]

Doc,
I am having a lot of trouble due to anxiety over herpes, despite the fact doctors keep telling me I don't have it.
For the third time in about a year, I have developed four-five small lesions in a row on the back side of my penis just under the head.
I'd describe them as red, sort of looking like pimples and slightly crusty. A doctor at an STD clinic today said they looked like little scabs.
The latest episode developed immediately after heavy foreplay with my girlfriend on Sunday. I immediately felt sensitivity in the area and by night the lesions had appeared.
The first time it happened (October), I went to a walk-in clinic and the doctor said it didn't look like herpes. He took a viral swab and it came back negative. I had no fever or any other symptoms at the time, other than major anxiety.
The second time it happened (two months after the first), I went to my family doctor and he said it didn't look like herpes. He gave me a herpes simplex blood test at my insistence and it came back negative. Both times the lesions disappeared within about a week.
Today, the doctor at the STD clinic said it doesn't resemble Herpes and suggested the marks developed from irritation. She gave me a swab, but she said the blood test I had several months ago should re-assure me I don't have herpes and she said I shouldn't worry. She also ruled out any other STD.
But all I keep thinking is that I have it. The scabs, the cluster and the fact it keeps repeating in the same location have me totally paranoid. I'm just thinking what else can it be and no one has given me an answer.
However, they do not itch and there is only minor, minor stinging and I think I only feel that pain because I'm thinking about it so much.
But I can't stop looking at it and thinking about it.
Thanks for listening.




For the third time in about a year, I have developed three or four red dots on the back side of my penis, just under the head.
All the times they have developed within a day after rigourous sexual activity. This time, the area became very sensitive after foreplay between me and my girlfriend.
Anyway, every time I see this I'm convinced I have herpes, seeing as it's in the exact same spot each time and what else could lesions on the penis be. But I've went to my family doctor (who is very good) both times previously and he said it's not. The first time, he did a swab, which came back negative. The second time, he did a blood test, which also came back negative. He told me I have to stop worrying there is something wrong with me, even if it comes back. He told me it's probably just from friction.
But I can't stop looking at it and the fact it's the exact same spot has me convinced there is something wrong with me.
What should I do?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Recurrent scabs in more or less the same place can indeed possibly be herpes.  I recommend that you get a herpes 2 blood test.  If it's negative, that would be very strong evidence that these episodes aren't herpes.  If it's positive, then you'll know what you're dealing with and learn to deal with it.

As I typed this, I saw that you asked the same question again, and wrote that a doctor "did a blood test."  Please find out whether it was a type-specific herpes 2 test.  If it was, then you don;t have herpes, and you'll need to take whatever steps you need--including counseling--if you can't accept that and move on.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[heythere1980]

One another thing,
About six days ago, I had oral sex (receiving) from my girlfriend, who I believe has had cold sores before, but does not have genital herpes and didn't have any cold sores at the time. Not sure if that would make a difference.

[mr_jim]

Don't worry too much.

The blood test is very reliable - it checks for antibodies to the HSV1 or HSV2 virii.  If a swab and blood test say you are negative, then you probably are.  It's possible that a blood test could come back negative if you were very recently infected prior to the test but as your blood test happened about 2 months after the swabbing, if you had the virus you would almost certainly have had a positive result.

Also, it is very common for hair follicles on the penis to become irritated in exactly the way you describe - these follicles can often be found a long way up the penis, even if the hair is extremely fine (or with no hair at all). Obviously I can't say if this is the case with you but it's more likely than herpes.

Finally, even if it did by some outside chance turn out to be herpes, it's not the end of the world by any means. It's a very common virus that, contrary to the unfortunate stigma it carries, is not that serious. It only causes anxiety mostly because it's on your old man instead of your face like a cold sore (which is the same virus, HSV1).  For more info see:
* http://www.ihmf.org/general/patient_info.asp

Don't get too hung up on it.  It doesn't sound like you have it but even if you did, it's really not that big a deal - I know, because I have it.

MrJim.

[heythere1980]

One last thing.
These scabs, sores or whatever they are seem to disappear after I take a shower each morning, only to re-appear later in the day.
Does that mean anything?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Herpes cabs don't come and go the same day.  Please find out for sure--you may already have done so--and stop obsessing about this.  Thank you.

Dr. Rockoff

[heythere1980]

The scabs are gone after three days, which I assume is a good sign that it is not herpes.
Test i got from family doctor was a herpes simplex test, which he said tests for type 1 and type 2. Done two months after first exposure.