Is this herpes if not what is it?

[poker1818]

About 2 and a half months ago, I was with my girlfriend.  I am a 19 year old male and she is 17.  I have not had sexual contact with anyone but her and she has only had sex with one other guy. (I have never actually had intercourse with her.)  Anyways, I had been receiving oral sex from her over a period of about two months for a total of about ten oral sex encounters.  She claims that she has never had a cold sore but has had canker sores as she described that canker sores happen inside the mouth and cold sores happen outside of the mouth.  
Anyways, about two to two and a half weeks after the last oral sex episode, I noticed a red spot (almost like a rash) about half the size of a penny right below the head of the penis and on the underside just to the left of the circumcision cut line.  So basically it was right below where the shaft meets the head on the underside to the left of the circumcision cut line.  (Sorry if I'm confusing I'm trying to describe the best i can).  Anyways, I noticed an itching an itching and didn't think much of it.  However, when I went to bed, I checked it out and it looked kind of red.  The next morning, it seemed to be a little more red and had a very slight burn.  It was noticable but not painful.  Anyways, I got scared and showed my mom (who is a cardiac registered nurse) and she said it was just inflammation from sweating and irritation from clothes and whatnot. She told me to put some "Triple Antibiotic" Petroleum based stuff on it so I did.  3 days later the red spot/sore was gone.  I can't remember if there was a very minute amount of white dead skin over it or not when it disappeared. My mom said not to worry about it again and that it wasn't herpes.  Overall, from when i noticed the itching to when the sore was gone, 4 days had elapsed so it lasted for 4 days total.  However, after doing extensive research on the internet about herpes, I read that herpes could be transmitted even if the person does not know that they have the virus through asymptomatic shedding.   (My mom gets cold sores every once in a while and that is why I asked her).  But I have never had a cold sore.  I have also read that herpes can have very atypical symptoms and that they can be very minor and many people overlook these symptoms and that 80% of the population has hsv1 virus.  Seeing that 80% of people has this virus, doesn't that put me at a pretty good chance of having herpes in the genitals now especially with that sore?
If it wasn't herpes, do you have any idea what it could have been?  I have driven my g/f crazy asking her if she has herpes or ever got a cold sore but she remains firm she's never had one.

One other question.  My girlfriend was grinding on me and got a good amount of her "vaginal juices" on my penis, i had my boxers on and she had her underwear on but it got through.  About three days later, my lymph node swelled up for five days but no lesion.  Could this be herpes? I had a bug bite on my butt at the time

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I think what you had was irritation, not herpes.  You can certainly get irritated red bumps from sex, oral or otherwise.  Although your research is correct--many people have the herpes virus--it doesn't mean that every sore that comes after sex is herpes.  If you get another sore, show it to a doctor (or your mother) right away, so you can know for sure what it is.  Always practice safe sex--that means using a condom.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[poker1818]

I just wanted to clarify that the spot was like a rash, it wasn't raised and at the last time of oral sex contact, my gf was on her period, if that makes any difference.  Sorry i forgot to put these in the first question

[jte777]

I think that you should trust the opinion you already got from a nurse (mom). Herpes usually is seen as blisters and an antibotic (antibiotic) cream should not affect it much since herpes is a virus and not a susceptible bacteria. It is probably irritation, and that seems even more likely since your girlfriend rubbed your penis while you had your shorts on. Cloth can be quite abrasive, even if there were lubrication. I am NOT a doctor, but abut common sense says that the simplest solution is often the correct one. This sounds like nothing serious. I would be willing to bet that when the Doctor responds you will get good news.

In the meantime, relax and ignore the comments of others who are somewhat thoughtless and not very helpful.

[poker1818]

Thank you for your response jte.  However, the rubbing and the oral sex encounter happened months apart.  The sore/inflammation/rash happened about two weeks after oral sex.
If this makes any difference.
Thanks again for your response jte =)

[EastCoast1]

Relax.  But let this be a good introduction to the world of sex - there is always the chance you can pick something up.  

Many men have incredibly sensitive skin on their penis.  You got an irritation.  If you put triple antibiotic ointment on a herpes lesion it would have felt on fire and not disappear in a few days.  Next time you probably could use a mild moisturizer.

Don't listen to the guy that gave you hard time about asking for an evaluation from your mom.  It's good that you got checked out.

Be grateful you know about herpes early - it's easy to pick up and colleges are full of it.  Always wrap the little guy.

Good luck.

[jte777]

No problem poker.Still think you will find it is irritation. As the other guy said the penis has very sensitive skin and just about anything can irritate it, masturbation, teeth, clothing, dampness, etc. Just sucking alone can cause a rash since it pulls blood to the surface, hickies for example are caused this way. If it disappeared that quickly with antibiotic cream it is very unlikely it is herpes. Herpes does not act that way. I bet the doctor tells you it is nothing to worry about. Just keep in mind that "mother always knows best" :)

[littlesadone]

About a month ago, I had oral sex with a guy and about two weeks ago, I received what I think is called Angular Cheilitis.  I never had it before, but I have had cold sores.  I don't know what to do and I'm freakin out.  I'm only 18 years old and I don't want my life to be over already.  I'm worried!  I spoke with that guy that I had oral sex with and he said that he isn't infected with anything.  I didn't see any type of sores or infections on him.  I want to know what's going on and if I have like herpes or something.  What should I do?
My mouth is really dry and only one corner of my mouth has deep cracks, but not the other side.  I did a whole bunch of research on it and there could be endless possibilities on why i have it.  I know I need to seek a doctor, but I'm scared and I don't have health insurance.  i also don't want anyone to know about it.  
I know that I don't get enough vitamins and I'm low on iron, I've been out in the sun because it was summer getting a tan, I occasionally lick my lips, but this has never happend before.  Now, It's hard for me to open my mouth and eat.  When I speak, it's also a little difficult.  My lips are really dry and chapstick just makes it worst.  I am also receiving little mumps on the bottom of my lips now, but it's not noticeble.  I feel really discussting and stupid. Please help me out and tell me whats wrong.
What should I do?

[ryn21]

First of all, you need to post a new comment to get an answer from the derm.  But I dont think what you have is anything of major concern.  It really doesnt sound like an STD, and at the most it could be HSV1, which most people have anyway and is not the end of the world.  If you dont have health insurance and you want some answers, I suggest you visit a local health clinic, primarily an std clinic.  They will be able to give you answers on whether it is something of concern, such as an std, but i doubt it is.  Check the STD forum on this site for some answers.  The doctor in that forum is highly respectable and intelligent in the field of STD health.  

As for vitamins deficiency, I am an advocate of vitamin supplements so I suggest you take them.  I suggest everyone take a daily multivitamin at minimum every day.  If you have low iron, why dont you take iron supplements?  Vitamins are inexpensive and will make your body a heck of a lot healthier.  I seriously suggest one take vitamins if they do not have a healthy eating habit or healthy diet.

[girly65]

Just recently I have been getting these little clusters of bumps on my lips. I have no idea what it is. I did notice that it is just about every month I get them. They are not big or anything,but they are in little clusters and kinda hurt. More annoying then anything, what I mean is they are aggrivating and my lips constantly feel dry. I keep loading my lips with chapstick. I just want to know any ideas on what it could be.

[guru121212]

for a few years now, i have had a rash on my legs and butt and penis that just wont go away. ive had sex with one girl, and i took her virginity. could i have herpes? its really got me scared.

[guru121212]

i should not have closed that box, i wasnt finished. this rash gets worse when i work in the heat. and it itches all the time. i just cant get rid of it. im 20 years old, im in love and i havent had sex with the girl im in love with yet. we have been together 2 months and im afraid that if we have sex, i might give her something and i dont wanna do that. could this be some kind of skin irritation cause by working outdoors all the time, or a reaction to some type of food? or does it sound more like herpes?