Herpes without sex?

[K0615]

Hello Doctor,

I am currently 20 years old, and about 5 years ago a blister started growing on the outer shaft skin of the penis. It eventually went away, and maybe a couple years later the same thing happened, except it was much smaller and also went away. I have never french kissed or engaged in any sort of sexual activity until recently. Because of this, I assumed the blisters were nothing important since they went away after a while. However, a few weeks ago I had protected sex using a condom with my girlfriend a few times, (who has had previous sexual partners), and we also gave each other unprotected oral sex. About a week ago, a blister that looks the same as the previous ones began to form (the last one having occurred about 3 or so years ago).  I assumed that it was merely a coincidence, but this time I decided to go to the doctor to be on the safe side. After looking at my penis, the doctor said that it was most likely herpes that I had been infected with, and said that it was still possible to be infected even without having sex when I told him that the same thing had happened before. He took a urine sample and would let me know by Tuesday whether or not I had Herpes. However, I am currently in Japan and since I'm not entirely fluent, I'm not sure if I was able to get my point through that this has only happened twice before without ever having done anything sexual whatsoever.

I suppose my question is, do you think I actually have genital herpes? If I do, how could I have received it? If not, what could these infrequent blisters be? Also, will a urine test be able to accurately determine whether or not I do have herpes? Thank you! Sorry for all the questions.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

There isn't a urine test for herpes - I'm not clear what test he's doing.  When you used to get this blister before you started having sex - had you done any genital to genital rubbing prior to that, any sexual contact with another person at all?  If the answer is no, then I do not believe this blister was due to genital herpes infection.  Was any testing ever done from the blister itself, like a swab?  And when you say blister, can you describe it more clearly for me?  Is it filled with fluid, and then pops or crusts?  About how long does it stay?  

Terri

[K0615]

No, I have never had any genital to genital rubbing or any sexual contact whatsoever when I started to get the blister before having sex. Also, not testing was ever done from the blister itself. The blister starts out looking like a pimple under the skin, and then gets  bigger. I believe it is filled with fluid, and may pop and then crust. However, the last time I used acne medicine on it, and it didn't get to big, nor did it pop. This time I'm using a cream called Zovirax which seems to be working, so it's not going to pop and crust over this time either. It maybe stays for about two to three weeks?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Normally, herpes doesn't stay around any where near that long with recurrences.  And nothing in your history suggests that this is herpes.  Nothing.  What I would suggest is that when you can, you get a type specific antibody test for herpes.  I will tell you that herpes blisters look like little water blisters, and they break quite quickly and heal up.  I believe it is likely that your bumps are something else, but it isn't possible to tell over the internet, and testing, when you can do it, would be a good idea to reassure you.

Terri

[K0615]

Ok, thanks a lot for your help Terri. I'll try to go to another doctor soon. I have a question though... from what I told you, do you think it's possible that it's another STD? There are ways in which you can get STDs without sexual contact, right?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

No, I don't think this is an STD.  STDs by definition come from having sex.    

Terri

[K0615]

Hello Terri,

Thank you very much for your help. Since you helped alleviate my fears, I thought I should let you know what happened.

I went to another urologist last week who actually listened to what I had to say (unlike the last one, who didn't even suggest taking a blood test and gave me a bunch of medicine which was fairly expensive!), and he said that while it looked like it could be herpes, it was unlikely, and that it was most likely inflammation of the skin. Anyway, he took a blood sample to be tested, and I went to see him today to find out the results.  Both herpes and syphilis (which had also been a slight possibility based on the appearance) tested negative, so he concluded that it was in fact inflammation of the skin and not an STD. He said that sometimes the penis can get hurt somewhere from sex, masturbation, etc. which has the possibility to become inflamed. Anyway, it's mostly healed now and he told me not to worry about it.
Thanks again for your help!

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I'm glad you are feeling reassured now.  Thanks for updating me on your progress.
Terri