Very scared this is herpes

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.

[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

[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 (folliculitis). 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.