Very scared this is herpes

[buffaloman]

In December of 2002, I had a brief relationship with a woman.  We had unprotected sex several times (stupid I know).  About a week after we first had sex I came down with the flu and symptoms lasted about 2-3 days.  I thought nothing of it until about six months later these bumps appeared right above my penis.  It itched some and then the bumps coated over and looked like a rash.  The whole thing lasted about 4-5 weeks.  I didn't get this looked at either since it was very embarrasing.  I know now that that was a mistake also.  Since then I haven't had anything that would considered an "outbreak."  I've never had any bumps on my penis or balls.  The only thing that could really be considered a symptom would be maybe an occasional fever or the bottom of my legs ocassionally itching (although I think that might be from wearing my jeans and sweatpants too long without washing them).  Seemingly I am more succeptable to colds too.  I was tested for HIV about this time last year and it came back negative.  I did some herpes research and was scared senseless when I read the symptoms.  I have scheduled a herpes test for Wednesday and I am almost certain that I have it.  Could you be of help as to tell me if you think I am nuts or to tell me what else the rash could've been besides herpes?  And should I go ahead with the test if you don't feel that it is herpes?  Thank you for your time.

[Lucho1975]

I am also terrified that I may have herpes.  I developed a red bump/blister on my pubic area.  At 1st I thought is was a pimple and tried to pop it.  Shortly after I developed a few other of those bumps/blisters on different parts of my pubic area.  The closest any of these bumps ever got to my penis was on the base.  These symptoms ended up lasting about 4 weeks. When one would go away and dry up, another would just pop out somewhere else.  The P.A. that examined me originally said it wasn't herpes and that it was foliculitis. I know that is not the case!  The next P.A. said that it was herpes, but then gave me some story that I was NOT contagious while the blisters were present.  This went against everythng I have read on the internet.  He also asked if I had kids.  When I said that I didn't, he looked at me with this sad look.  He told me that when I decide to have kids I should go see a geneticist.  He also completely discarded the possibility that I could have HSV-1.   The 2 blood tests I have taken have come back negative.  Now...through my continous internet research, I am starting to think it's scabies.  From the pictures I am looking at, it looks like it could be that as well.  I am pretty screwed up mentally at this point.  I am also a little frustrated with the people who have "checked" me out.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Herpes lasts 7-10 days, so I'm not sure what you read about herpes that made you so scared--neither the appearance nor the duration sound suspicious for herpes to me.  Maybe it was folliculitis (blocked sweat glands) or the like.  I'm glad you;'re going for a blood test.  Why not get another HIV test at the same time.  Then, when they both come back negative, as I believe they will, you can relax and then swear off any further high-risk behavior.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff