Do I have herpes?

Dear someone,

11 days ago I had unprotected vaginal sex. I am a male, age 21. About 4 days after the incident, I felt a mild burning, "tenderness" in the genital region. This persisted, so 6 days after the sexual episode I got myself checked out at a hospital, and had urine tests run for chlamydia and gonorrhea, both of which came back negative. The doctor said it seemed more like an irritation to a soap that I was using (I very vigorously used a hand soap on that region for the few days following the incident). I pointed out to the doctor a very small collection of red bumps located entirely on the frenulum. Doctor said it was nothing to be worried about.

I saw a second doctor about 3 days later, because the burning had persisted and the dots were still there. He said again not to worry. I saw a third doctor at my university health services who also said it was nothing to be worried about. However, what's worrying me now, is that I feel that those bumps have gotten larger. They seem to be less red and more white. The burning has subsided but I feel that the frenulum might be slightly swollen (if that's possible). Do these symptoms sound like herpes? I have no had any systemic symptoms, no swollen lymph nodes, so fever, no pain during urination or ejaculation. What do you think? Thanks!

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I think that your symptoms do not sound herpetic, and you have three doctors who have in essence, agreed.  Did they use the word pearly papules to describe the bumps on the frenulum at all?  You might want to look up pictures of pearly papules on the internet as they often show up in that area.  My guess is that your washing and frequent inspections of the genitals have irritated your penis and are causing some signs of irritation.  

Have you had other sexual partners in your lifetime?  Have you ever had antibody testing for herpes in the past?

Terri

[veryworried4186]

Hi Terri,

Thanks for the response. I got checked once again yesterday by one of my school's health service's MD's. He also said that it looked like an irritation to the soap. The dots have been there for at least a week now - if they were herpes lesions they would have blistered correct? They are not painful in anyway. He also told me to stop checking the area so much and that I might be irritating it further.

He did use the word papules. I've noticed that there are some tiny bumps along the shaft and most of them have a hair follicle in the center. It seems like the root of the hair is irritated so the base of the follicle has enlarged. Does this further suggest an irritation or is that a herpetic symptom? Thanks!

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

It sounds more like irritation.

Terri