Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Possible Genital Herpes?
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
Possible Genital Herpes?
by Greg123, Feb 25, 2005 12:00AM
Doc,
I have had numerous skin conditions on the shaft of my penis. The symptoms are as follows: a very small area (usually pin sized) becomes scabbed. Sometimes I notice flaky, dry skin prior and/or after infection that turns into what appears to be a tiny sore. Never blisters or never numerous sores. In the past year it happened about 5 to 6 times. Once or twice in the same location and once or twice in a different location at that same location. It last about 5 to 7 days until completely healed. No pus, yet looks likes it weeps a small amount of watery fluid. I have done a lot of research about genital herpes and am starting to believe that I may have the virus. I know I need to get a Type-Specific test or get cultured but seem to always put it aside. I guess I would rather not know if I am infected with the virus. Since these symptoms have occured, I always use a condom during sex and if I see any type of sore, I do not engage in sexual activities.
The research I have done is hard to understand sometime and would like your opinion on this being possible atypical herpes or possibly another skin condition. It seems that more and more evidence shows that these minor symptoms lead to positive herpes results. The norm is not multiple blisters that turn into sores. That seems to be if one has a bad case. If it does sound like possible genital herpes, I eventually want to get tested and find out. It just seems as though the test or so unclear and takes numerous tests to get an answer. If you do recommend I see a doctor for a type-specific test, which im sure you will, and if i unfortunately have the virus, could you recommend any natural remedies opposed to antiviral drugs? I know it is imposible to make a diagnosis without seeing the infection. Although, I realize that this is not normal and something is wrong. Whatever it is, I would like to take measures to prevent it from happening again. I consider myself a very healthy individual. I am in my mid 20s and have been invloved with sports my entire life. I work out 4-5 times per week. Eat healthy, etc, etc. So I obviously want to be completely healthy. Also, I am not in a serious relationship with a woman right now, yet plan on getting married and having children one day. This leads to another huge concern of infecting someone if something were wrong with me. Any suggestions and possible answers on what my symptoms appear to be would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you and I look forward to learning how I can resolve this issue in my life.
God Bless you.
I have had numerous skin conditions on the shaft of my penis. The symptoms are as follows: a very small area (usually pin sized) becomes scabbed. Sometimes I notice flaky, dry skin prior and/or after infection that turns into what appears to be a tiny sore. Never blisters or never numerous sores. In the past year it happened about 5 to 6 times. Once or twice in the same location and once or twice in a different location at that same location. It last about 5 to 7 days until completely healed. No pus, yet looks likes it weeps a small amount of watery fluid. I have done a lot of research about genital herpes and am starting to believe that I may have the virus. I know I need to get a Type-Specific test or get cultured but seem to always put it aside. I guess I would rather not know if I am infected with the virus. Since these symptoms have occured, I always use a condom during sex and if I see any type of sore, I do not engage in sexual activities.
The research I have done is hard to understand sometime and would like your opinion on this being possible atypical herpes or possibly another skin condition. It seems that more and more evidence shows that these minor symptoms lead to positive herpes results. The norm is not multiple blisters that turn into sores. That seems to be if one has a bad case. If it does sound like possible genital herpes, I eventually want to get tested and find out. It just seems as though the test or so unclear and takes numerous tests to get an answer. If you do recommend I see a doctor for a type-specific test, which im sure you will, and if i unfortunately have the virus, could you recommend any natural remedies opposed to antiviral drugs? I know it is imposible to make a diagnosis without seeing the infection. Although, I realize that this is not normal and something is wrong. Whatever it is, I would like to take measures to prevent it from happening again. I consider myself a very healthy individual. I am in my mid 20s and have been invloved with sports my entire life. I work out 4-5 times per week. Eat healthy, etc, etc. So I obviously want to be completely healthy. Also, I am not in a serious relationship with a woman right now, yet plan on getting married and having children one day. This leads to another huge concern of infecting someone if something were wrong with me. Any suggestions and possible answers on what my symptoms appear to be would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you and I look forward to learning how I can resolve this issue in my life.
God Bless you.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Feb 27, 2005 12:00AM
, Feb 27, 2005 12:00AM
This could indeed be herpes. As you realize yourself, you will need a type-specific blood test to find out. This will not take many testings, just one.
I understand your reluctance to be checked. However, you are much worse off not knowing.
Even if it is herpes, you don't need to take antiviral drugs--most people don't, unless they want to take them daily to prevent recurrences. Natural remedies like lysine don't do much.
Millions of people with herpes live normal lives and have normal marriages and relationships. You owe it to yourself to find out for sure whether you have herpes, and to get the information and counseling you need to deal with what you have, whether it's herpes or not.
Please proceed with the course of action you realize yourself is the proper one.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
I understand your reluctance to be checked. However, you are much worse off not knowing.
Even if it is herpes, you don't need to take antiviral drugs--most people don't, unless they want to take them daily to prevent recurrences. Natural remedies like lysine don't do much.
Millions of people with herpes live normal lives and have normal marriages and relationships. You owe it to yourself to find out for sure whether you have herpes, and to get the information and counseling you need to deal with what you have, whether it's herpes or not.
Please proceed with the course of action you realize yourself is the proper one.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
