Aa
Help please. Here are my symptoms.
I have been in a long term relationship with someone who gets cold sores very infrequently (maybe 2-3 times since we've been together). Prior to being with her, I was tested for HSV (among other things) and my test came back negative.
Fast forward...
- I developed a bump on penis shaft about a month and a half ago. Didn't hurt or itch. I was initially worried, but it bled, and shrunk to nothing within a day of it popping (doesn't sound like herpes, right?). Up till today, I still have a scar that protrudes a little bit on my shaft. I probably should have got this one tested, but I had discomfort with a condom a night or two before, so I figured that was the cause.
- About two and a half weeks ago, I noticed another bump, this time on the underside of my shaft. This one also did not hurt or itch, and I learned from my lesson before, not to mess with it. It went away after about a week. Not scar or residual effects in that area
This is when things get real....
- Last week, I notice a THIRD bump. This time, it's on the right side of my scrotum. After the first two experiences, I figured something harmless was causing this, so I completely wrote it off
- On Tuesday night (6/4), I had an itch that I couldn't really find around my perineum/scrotum area
- The next morning, I awoke to some mild pain on the tip/right side of my penis. I also had three very itchy bumps on my butt. Two of them were right next to each other and seemed to be clustered. This is when I really started to worry, because I'm well aware of herpes symptoms and pro-domes, and whenever anything itches in that region, it should be cause for concern.
- I also noticed my right lymph node was swollen
- Later that night, I began feeling an itch on my scrotum. At first, I thought this was the bump I found a few nights before. Upon further examination, I realized that this was actually a new set of bumps further down my scrotum. It felt like 3-4 very little itchy bumps.
- The next day (Thursday), as the bumps worsened, I realized there was a cluster of about 7-8 of them. I began taking pictures of them in order to document and get a better view. When examining the pictures, I noticed there was a dark/black dot in the middle of every bump.
- On Friday, I began experience minor discomfort in the back of my right leg and buttocks, in addition to shooting pain in my buttock. I was well aware these are HSV symptoms. While I don't think it is all in my head, that is very possible.
- As of today, the bumps have worsened periodically, and seem to itch more frequently (it doesn't help that I keep messing with them). The black dots seemed to have gotten bigger, almost as if they are making there way up to the surface as scabs. I also noticed that the initial scrotum bump I came across last week also has a black dot in its center now (it definitely did not have one before).
- My left lymph node is also swollen now. Although this can be as a result of constantly checking it.
Below are some photos...
second day of bumps: http://i.imgur.com/7u1bwlz.jpg
third day of bumps: http://i.imgur.com/Y2JAYNy.jpg (notice the spots in the middle got darker)
fourth day of bumps: http://i.imgur.com/HbU3xGM.jpg
- I currently do not have insurance, so I attended a family clinic on Friday and the doctor swabbed my sores. I should here back within two weeks. Fingers crossed.
In the meantime, I would appreciate any guidance. I've researched all over the web, and the only cases I can find seem to be unresolved (and usually begin with "I had sex with someone for the first time last week").
Fast forward...
- I developed a bump on penis shaft about a month and a half ago. Didn't hurt or itch. I was initially worried, but it bled, and shrunk to nothing within a day of it popping (doesn't sound like herpes, right?). Up till today, I still have a scar that protrudes a little bit on my shaft. I probably should have got this one tested, but I had discomfort with a condom a night or two before, so I figured that was the cause.
- About two and a half weeks ago, I noticed another bump, this time on the underside of my shaft. This one also did not hurt or itch, and I learned from my lesson before, not to mess with it. It went away after about a week. Not scar or residual effects in that area
This is when things get real....
- Last week, I notice a THIRD bump. This time, it's on the right side of my scrotum. After the first two experiences, I figured something harmless was causing this, so I completely wrote it off
- On Tuesday night (6/4), I had an itch that I couldn't really find around my perineum/scrotum area
- The next morning, I awoke to some mild pain on the tip/right side of my penis. I also had three very itchy bumps on my butt. Two of them were right next to each other and seemed to be clustered. This is when I really started to worry, because I'm well aware of herpes symptoms and pro-domes, and whenever anything itches in that region, it should be cause for concern.
- I also noticed my right lymph node was swollen
- Later that night, I began feeling an itch on my scrotum. At first, I thought this was the bump I found a few nights before. Upon further examination, I realized that this was actually a new set of bumps further down my scrotum. It felt like 3-4 very little itchy bumps.
- The next day (Thursday), as the bumps worsened, I realized there was a cluster of about 7-8 of them. I began taking pictures of them in order to document and get a better view. When examining the pictures, I noticed there was a dark/black dot in the middle of every bump.
- On Friday, I began experience minor discomfort in the back of my right leg and buttocks, in addition to shooting pain in my buttock. I was well aware these are HSV symptoms. While I don't think it is all in my head, that is very possible.
- As of today, the bumps have worsened periodically, and seem to itch more frequently (it doesn't help that I keep messing with them). The black dots seemed to have gotten bigger, almost as if they are making there way up to the surface as scabs. I also noticed that the initial scrotum bump I came across last week also has a black dot in its center now (it definitely did not have one before).
- My left lymph node is also swollen now. Although this can be as a result of constantly checking it.
Below are some photos...
second day of bumps: http://i.imgur.com/7u1bwlz.jpg
third day of bumps: http://i.imgur.com/Y2JAYNy.jpg (notice the spots in the middle got darker)
fourth day of bumps: http://i.imgur.com/HbU3xGM.jpg
- I currently do not have insurance, so I attended a family clinic on Friday and the doctor swabbed my sores. I should here back within two weeks. Fingers crossed.
In the meantime, I would appreciate any guidance. I've researched all over the web, and the only cases I can find seem to be unresolved (and usually begin with "I had sex with someone for the first time last week").
I have same issue , guess its a resistant staphylococcus, went to hospital, took all medical, no avail... Went for herbs took all sorts , no avail also but it only reduced
Was there an update to this because I've got two just like that on the head of my penis. I went to the clinic for a visual inspection and the nurse was like "huh...I, not sure actually." I only have had oral sex (receptive) with 3-4 people in 5 month.
Hi there, I'd be interested to find out what it was in the end? I feel like I'm going through the exact same thing, tiny bumps that hurt that have a scab in the centre, all the way tommy lymph nodes hurting and it all occurring on the one side, in my case my left side.
not a typical area for shingles to occur in. I'd take that off the list.
only way to confirm hsv1 would be should you get a recurrence - be seen within 48 hours of the appearance of symptoms for a lesion culture and typing.
only way to confirm hsv1 would be should you get a recurrence - be seen within 48 hours of the appearance of symptoms for a lesion culture and typing.
We were both been blood tested last week. Currently awaiting the results. I'm almost certain it's HSV. My GF gets cold sores very infrequently, so I'm hoping it's HSV-1 and not HSV-2. Or better yet, shingles!! I was tested negative for both prior to dating her, but she was never tested unfortunately.
I will keep you posted on what I hear. I was told two weeks, but that seems kind of a long time.
I will keep you posted on what I hear. I was told two weeks, but that seems kind of a long time.
I recommend that you and your gf both seek out type specific herpes igg blood testing at this point and go from there.
Thanks Grace. Probably about 1 week before I started noticing symptoms. But it was with my girlfriend of three years.
I was hopeful it could be something else (when I thought only the scrotum was breaking out), but once I noticed scabs on my actual penis, I wasn't so sure.
I was hopeful it could be something else (when I thought only the scrotum was breaking out), but once I noticed scabs on my actual penis, I wasn't so sure.
how long prior to this had you last had sex?
almost everything looks the same while healing. hard to tell from the looks of scabs what it was.
almost everything looks the same while healing. hard to tell from the looks of scabs what it was.
Oh okay, my apologies. I assumed when you said it doesn't sound like herpes you had looked at the photos.
- The first picture shows little scabs on my foreskin. I also have a very small bump that does not hurt or itch, but looks like there is something might be in there. Also, there are two tiny scabs on the top of my penis head. I don't feel much down here, but if I pinch the foreskin bumps/scabs, it hurts a little.
- The second picture shows the bumps on my scrotum which has scabbed over
For what it's worth, I went back in to the center and they gave me a courtesy blood test due to the mix-up. The practitioner took a hard look at my scars (after I had expressed my concern for herpes) and said they did look "herpetic" and she was not sure why the other practitioner told me it might be jock itch.
- The first picture shows little scabs on my foreskin. I also have a very small bump that does not hurt or itch, but looks like there is something might be in there. Also, there are two tiny scabs on the top of my penis head. I don't feel much down here, but if I pinch the foreskin bumps/scabs, it hurts a little.
- The second picture shows the bumps on my scrotum which has scabbed over
For what it's worth, I went back in to the center and they gave me a courtesy blood test due to the mix-up. The practitioner took a hard look at my scars (after I had expressed my concern for herpes) and said they did look "herpetic" and she was not sure why the other practitioner told me it might be jock itch.
we don't look at pictures here. why not is explained in our read before posting post on the forum.
it's unfortunate that your swab was tossed without someone calling you first or anything. really nothing else you can do at this point :(
it's unfortunate that your swab was tossed without someone calling you first or anything. really nothing else you can do at this point :(
Grace,
Can you please clarify how this doesn't sound like herpes? Are there any alternatives. You seem very knowledgeable on the topic, and I just want to know why you think this.
In my post above (which is very long), I state that my swab was thrown away. I went to the doctor today to redo it, but she chose to run the blood test instead given that the sores have scabbed over.
Here are updated photos:
Scabs on foreskin (never noticed anything before): http://i.imgur.com/a4iprez.jpg
Scabs on scrotum: http://i.imgur.com/0wQLWpU.jpg
I would appreciate any feedback.
Can you please clarify how this doesn't sound like herpes? Are there any alternatives. You seem very knowledgeable on the topic, and I just want to know why you think this.
In my post above (which is very long), I state that my swab was thrown away. I went to the doctor today to redo it, but she chose to run the blood test instead given that the sores have scabbed over.
Here are updated photos:
Scabs on foreskin (never noticed anything before): http://i.imgur.com/a4iprez.jpg
Scabs on scrotum: http://i.imgur.com/0wQLWpU.jpg
I would appreciate any feedback.
I am livid right now. My symptoms first started showing up last Wednesday. When they became more pronounced on Wednesday night, I called around Thursday morning looking for discounted places I could go to ASAP get it checked (I don't have insurance, but figured I would only need a culture, as opposed to a blood test - since my sore was active, and I had an HSV blood test prior to my last partner).
So, I find a community health center that had an opening the next day. I go in Friday afternoon, fill out paperwork for about 15 minutes (which included ALL of my personal information). I talked to the lady at the front desk and told her I was currently unemployed and had no insurance, and she told me I can go for free, as long as I provide something in writing stating that, which I did.
Once I get in with a nurse practitioner (who mentioned to someone else who came in the room before we started: "I can't wait until this week is over"), she is basically rushing me, telling me it does not look like herpes, while not providing any alternatives. I had to ASK her to swab it, which she did, and she did not mention ONCE that I would have to pay for my swab. Instead of carefully swabbing the rash/sore/bumps, she just did it as fast as she could, and then pushed me out of the room to get blood drawn for the other STDs (which was handled by someone else).
Once I got the blood done, the person who drew my blood told me I was good to go. I walked out, looking for the practitioner, because she mentioned prescribing me something but we were interrupted and both forgot to come back to the topic. She was nowhere to be found. So I went home.
Fast-forward this Monday. I call the health center trying to see if I can add HSV 1 and 2 to my test just to be safe. Turns out I would have to pay for this, which makes sense. However, the lady I was speaking to was getting an attitude with me telling me "You have no clue what you're talking about" because I said I had reason to think I could have contracted HSV. She had the typical, "If you have herpes, you would know it" stance, which is annoying.
So in between the yelling, I tell her I was actually swabbed for something and I wasn't just asking for a blood test for fun. She then says, "oh, let me go grab your file" (one would think she would have looked at my file the way she was rambling off before).
Here's the bad part: Turns out they THREW MY CULTURE away because "patient left before paying for HSV screening". WTF?
A) I was told specifically I did not have to pay, and was never told I had to pay for swab when I asked
B) I spent all that time filling out forms, and you couldn't pick up the phone for one minute and call me to come back and pay?
C) Why the f*** would you just throw a culture away? Isn't there somewhere to preserve it just for a little while? I got the culture done on Friday and found out they threw it out by Monday.
D) Now that my sore is kind of in its later stages, I will have to pay to be swabbed again with a high likelihood that I can get a false negative.
Any suggestions?
So, I find a community health center that had an opening the next day. I go in Friday afternoon, fill out paperwork for about 15 minutes (which included ALL of my personal information). I talked to the lady at the front desk and told her I was currently unemployed and had no insurance, and she told me I can go for free, as long as I provide something in writing stating that, which I did.
Once I get in with a nurse practitioner (who mentioned to someone else who came in the room before we started: "I can't wait until this week is over"), she is basically rushing me, telling me it does not look like herpes, while not providing any alternatives. I had to ASK her to swab it, which she did, and she did not mention ONCE that I would have to pay for my swab. Instead of carefully swabbing the rash/sore/bumps, she just did it as fast as she could, and then pushed me out of the room to get blood drawn for the other STDs (which was handled by someone else).
Once I got the blood done, the person who drew my blood told me I was good to go. I walked out, looking for the practitioner, because she mentioned prescribing me something but we were interrupted and both forgot to come back to the topic. She was nowhere to be found. So I went home.
Fast-forward this Monday. I call the health center trying to see if I can add HSV 1 and 2 to my test just to be safe. Turns out I would have to pay for this, which makes sense. However, the lady I was speaking to was getting an attitude with me telling me "You have no clue what you're talking about" because I said I had reason to think I could have contracted HSV. She had the typical, "If you have herpes, you would know it" stance, which is annoying.
So in between the yelling, I tell her I was actually swabbed for something and I wasn't just asking for a blood test for fun. She then says, "oh, let me go grab your file" (one would think she would have looked at my file the way she was rambling off before).
Here's the bad part: Turns out they THREW MY CULTURE away because "patient left before paying for HSV screening". WTF?
A) I was told specifically I did not have to pay, and was never told I had to pay for swab when I asked
B) I spent all that time filling out forms, and you couldn't pick up the phone for one minute and call me to come back and pay?
C) Why the f*** would you just throw a culture away? Isn't there somewhere to preserve it just for a little while? I got the culture done on Friday and found out they threw it out by Monday.
D) Now that my sore is kind of in its later stages, I will have to pay to be swabbed again with a high likelihood that I can get a false negative.
Any suggestions?
does this sound like herpes? not really.
at this point waiting for your swab results to come back is the best thing to do. I'd call after 4 or 5 days and ask if they are back.
grace
at this point waiting for your swab results to come back is the best thing to do. I'd call after 4 or 5 days and ask if they are back.
grace
Also, how common is it to have an outbreak on multiple locations at the same time?
1) two very itchy bumps on lower buttocks (these are what caused my initial scare)
2) cluster of itchy bumps on scrotum which formed later that night
3) very tiny scabs on foreskin of penis that I just noticed (although there was slight discomfort there on the same day the other symptoms showed up)
All on right side of my body.
I would appreciate any help. Thank you.
1) two very itchy bumps on lower buttocks (these are what caused my initial scare)
2) cluster of itchy bumps on scrotum which formed later that night
3) very tiny scabs on foreskin of penis that I just noticed (although there was slight discomfort there on the same day the other symptoms showed up)
All on right side of my body.
I would appreciate any help. Thank you.
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
