Herpes or balanitis?

[street380]

Uncircumcised, with something of a history of mysterious penis sores.  10 months since my last "outbreak," after vigorous masturbation I get redness and sores on glans, starting almost in the process of masturbating and worse the day after--redness in places with some bumpiness and perhaps some yellowish hue; on close examination, stretching my skin, a sore starts to bleed.

I have previously been tested via herpeselect, captia, and western blot--all negative; two cultures taken within 2-3 days have also been negative.

chance this is herpes 1 and the tests miss it?  even western blot???

[castello80]

Western Blots are the most accurate you're gonna get in regards to blood testing. It's time for you to move on because this isn't herpes. You just have sensitive skin or ballanitis.

Dr. Handsfield is correct. However, you didn't have only one test done, you had multiple, which all came back negative. 56-90% of the population has HSV-1 anyway.

Herpes lasting only two days? I don't really agree with that one at all and I bet she doesn't either. Maybe you misinterpreted her. From its onset to being completely healed it can take up to 10 days, maybe more for some people. I would say that two days from the beginning of a sore to it's bursting, scabbing, and the skin's appearance returning to normal is definitely uncommon.

You don't have HSV-1 or HSV-2. Your blood tests and your accurate cultures prove that you don't.

[street380]

Thanks castello.  My blood tests were all taken post four months (western blot longer), my cultures within 72 hours, but the crap "fast' culture by kaiserpermanente.

I know that Dr Handsfield says that the Igg tests miss 20% of herpes 1; I think the westernblot is meant to be better for HSV1.  I guess the tests clear me of HSV2 but maybe there is some chance of HSV1?  10% chance??

At the moment, I have sores--some bleeding--on my glans, and redness--a recurrent event that tends to follow masturbation (last incident was 10 months ago).  Happens therefore maybe once a year or so.

The likelihood is that this will clear by 48 hours, given past events.  I know Grace has said that herpes can last only two days--is that quite common or uncommon?  I'm just trying to work out the odds . . .

Thanks a lot.

[castello80]

EDIT***: Read that you've had the western blot, herpesselect, captia and they were all negative. The Western Blot is the most reliable test available for HSV-1 and HSV-2, and as long as this was taken 3 months after your last encounter you're fine. Also, since your cultures were negative, you are fine. As I said, the only issue would be if you waited more than a few days to get a culture done, which could impact the results. If you got your culture done when you first noticed symptoms or shortly after then you're in the clear!!

[castello80]

Cultures are highly reliable if taken within ASAP or at least 48-72 hours of their appearances. Herpes blood tests are reliable three months post sexual exposure. What types of tests did you get? If you didn't, you should get a type specific iGg if you're that concerned or for future reference.

This doesn't sound like herpes since your cultures are negative, so you really have nothing to worry about since cultures are the most reliable form for a herpes diagnosis. The only concern would be if you waited more than a few days after the appearance of the lesions to get them cultured, which could impact the results.