Herpes or Pubic Folliculitis?

[countervail927]

I recently had  very rough unprotected vaginal sex with a woman and less than 36 hours later noticed some strange activity in regards to the skin at the base of the shaft of my penis, only at the follicles of my pubic hairs at the very base of the shaft. Sex occurred on a friday night, and by Sunday morning, immediately after showering, I felt a sore burning sensation on the skin at the base of my penis, with 10 or so red bumps soon appearing on either side of the base of the shaft in the pubic hair region. Several hours later I noticed a couple white puss filled , pimple-like bumps appear at the base of several follices, where the red bumps had been. All bumps / pimples are at the base of hair follicles on either side of the base of the shaft.  I do not trim or shave my pubic hairs.

In addition to this problem, I immediately came down with a mid-level fever (has been on and off for 3 days now) had lost my appetite, and even had occasional light nausea (perhaps because I thought I had contracted genital herpes and was freaking out about it).

I have done some online research and am worried that I may have contracted genital herpes, but am hopeful about it potentially being folliculitis, since there are only several pimples and all are at the base of a hair follicle, and they dont seem to be worsening or growing or breaking open into lesions as herpes might suggest. But I realize it is early in the process, for It has only been 4 full days since the sexual encounter took place.

I have read that if sex was very rough, the hair follicles might have been irritated by the violent rubbing sensation. The girl I was with did complain of dryness as well, and we had rough sex multiple times over the course of 3 or 4 hours.
I have also read that if the girl had a yeast infection that the fungus / bacteria involved could have irritated the hair follicles. Is this a valid possibility? It was a random casual encounter, and too late to ask her I guess. But could it still be a possibility?

Can you shed some light on this? Also, is it possible for it to still be herpes even though the only bumps / pimples (5 or 6 total) are only at the base of hair follicles? The bumps are only about the size of a pencil point at the base of the follicle, maybe a little larger, and dont seem to be worsening as i said. Also, is there anything that could explain the fever? Can folliculitis induce a fever in any way?

I have an appointment in 2 days to see my doctor, but I am freaking out until then. Any insight would be appreciated. I have discontinued all sexual contact until I get this sorted out. Just trying to figure out what I'm in for. Thanks for your time.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it sounds like infected hair follicles which could have resulted from friction rub in rough intercourse or dry vagina. It does not sound like herpes which presents as itchy and painful blisters. Folliculitis is the inflammation of one or more hair follicles. The condition may occur anywhere on the skin. It starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing or blockage of the follicle. In most cases of folliculitis, the damaged follicles are then infected with the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph).

Please keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment are also useful. In case the symptoms persist then oral antibiotics may be needed. Please consult a dermatologist in that case. Also get your blood sugar levels estimated.
I hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.