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More specific questions about Herpes:
35,MALE
In mid August had one-night-stand with female stranger that lasted not even a minute.
I’ve had discharge, frequent urination, urethra irritation, and testicular/prostate discomfort/tightness off and on for about 6 weeks, been on three different antibiotics during this time (Cipro currently,) two different diagnoses, (Ngu first and then prostatitis,) and I had Herpes pretty much ruled out, until suddenly 4 days ago a red/pinkish spot appears on the head of my penis. It looks only slightly red and under the skin, smaller than pea-size, but when erect becomes much more red and it does raise slightly. I first noticed this right after masturbating. Had a full panel test, including herpes (Igg) two weeks after possible contact and another Herpes test about 5-1/2 weeks after, all negative (< 0.90)
1) If someone in fact has Herpes, does having symptoms, for any length of time, better the chance of the test coming up positive for it, before the 3 month window?
2) My urologist, on the second visit, felt my prostate, said that it seemed swollen and that my symptoms pointed to prostatitis, but he wasn’t 100% convinced. He also told me that my urine was “clean,” (no white cells or blood or anything.) Can Herpes cause the prostate to swell or feel “tight” or do ANYTHING to it really?
3) The spot does not hurt on contact, because I will press firmly on it for a few seconds, and the area, including the spot, of course, remains white for a second. Would a Herpes spot/sore turn white if pressed on like that, or stay red? (odd question, I know)
4) I’ve noticed during these past weeks that my symptoms seem much better when I wake up. In fact, I’d say the only symptom at first is a very mild urethra irritation. Is that typical of Herpes not to bother you while asleep, or perhaps get worse throughout the day?
5) How long should it take a spot like this, if ever, to turn into a sore? (It’s been 4 days now since noticing it, and the spot hasn’t changed.)
Thx
In mid August had one-night-stand with female stranger that lasted not even a minute.
I’ve had discharge, frequent urination, urethra irritation, and testicular/prostate discomfort/tightness off and on for about 6 weeks, been on three different antibiotics during this time (Cipro currently,) two different diagnoses, (Ngu first and then prostatitis,) and I had Herpes pretty much ruled out, until suddenly 4 days ago a red/pinkish spot appears on the head of my penis. It looks only slightly red and under the skin, smaller than pea-size, but when erect becomes much more red and it does raise slightly. I first noticed this right after masturbating. Had a full panel test, including herpes (Igg) two weeks after possible contact and another Herpes test about 5-1/2 weeks after, all negative (< 0.90)
1) If someone in fact has Herpes, does having symptoms, for any length of time, better the chance of the test coming up positive for it, before the 3 month window?
2) My urologist, on the second visit, felt my prostate, said that it seemed swollen and that my symptoms pointed to prostatitis, but he wasn’t 100% convinced. He also told me that my urine was “clean,” (no white cells or blood or anything.) Can Herpes cause the prostate to swell or feel “tight” or do ANYTHING to it really?
3) The spot does not hurt on contact, because I will press firmly on it for a few seconds, and the area, including the spot, of course, remains white for a second. Would a Herpes spot/sore turn white if pressed on like that, or stay red? (odd question, I know)
4) I’ve noticed during these past weeks that my symptoms seem much better when I wake up. In fact, I’d say the only symptom at first is a very mild urethra irritation. Is that typical of Herpes not to bother you while asleep, or perhaps get worse throughout the day?
5) How long should it take a spot like this, if ever, to turn into a sore? (It’s been 4 days now since noticing it, and the spot hasn’t changed.)
Thx
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
1) Actually, yes. People without antibody to HSV 1 before acquiring HSV 2 are more likely to have symptoms that they recognize and they also make antibody more quickly. So perhaps the two are related - at least on results in the other.
2) No, I would not expect herpes to have any impact on your prostate
3) I would not expect a herpes sore to behave in the way that you are describing, no. I would expect a herpes sore to start out as a red area, but within a very short period of time, I would expect it to become a blister. Staying as only a red area for four days, and blanching white under pressure doesn't sound like the way herpes behaves.
4) No, I don't believe that herpes, first of all, would present symptoms such as this for 6 weeks. And no, there would be no reason that herpes urethritis would become better during the day.
5) I think I answered that one above.
In summary, this spot doesn't sound typical of herpes to me. However, a negative test at 2 weeks is not conclusive, as you probably know. But the chance that you would get HSV in a less than one minute encounter seems so unlikely.
Hope this answers your questions, let me know if you have others.
Terri
2) No, I would not expect herpes to have any impact on your prostate
3) I would not expect a herpes sore to behave in the way that you are describing, no. I would expect a herpes sore to start out as a red area, but within a very short period of time, I would expect it to become a blister. Staying as only a red area for four days, and blanching white under pressure doesn't sound like the way herpes behaves.
4) No, I don't believe that herpes, first of all, would present symptoms such as this for 6 weeks. And no, there would be no reason that herpes urethritis would become better during the day.
5) I think I answered that one above.
In summary, this spot doesn't sound typical of herpes to me. However, a negative test at 2 weeks is not conclusive, as you probably know. But the chance that you would get HSV in a less than one minute encounter seems so unlikely.
Hope this answers your questions, let me know if you have others.
Terri
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Sorry, this was way down my list and I missed it.
1) no antibiotics don't influence your herpes test results
2) I doubt it
3) This is so non-specfic, that its hard to sort out what might be causing this.
4) They likely are contracting with a big national lab, like Quest or LabCorp, so double check that and see. If yes, they are certainly reliable.
5) Sounds like an upper respiratory infection to me
6) more would have appeared by now, I believe, if more were going to appear
7) I would agree with your urologist - that kind of goes along with over-observing your body, I think
8) By now, the test would have picked up about 70% of those infected. So in other words, there is a 70% chance that you are not infected with HSV 2 at this time.
Terri
1) no antibiotics don't influence your herpes test results
2) I doubt it
3) This is so non-specfic, that its hard to sort out what might be causing this.
4) They likely are contracting with a big national lab, like Quest or LabCorp, so double check that and see. If yes, they are certainly reliable.
5) Sounds like an upper respiratory infection to me
6) more would have appeared by now, I believe, if more were going to appear
7) I would agree with your urologist - that kind of goes along with over-observing your body, I think
8) By now, the test would have picked up about 70% of those infected. So in other words, there is a 70% chance that you are not infected with HSV 2 at this time.
Terri
Thank you so much for your time, Terri, I truly appreciate it.
Just to be clear, I did have a negative Herpes test at 5 weeks also. And I do actually have some more questions:
1) I’ve taken (Flagyl, Doxy, Cipro) during this time. Any of these affect a blood test in any way?
2) Could being on these antibiotics in such a time cause a spot like this, some kind of a skin abnormality. Because I know my face certainly looks more flushed than usual, and I seem to have more pimples everywhere?
3) All around and up and down my legs and butt, even to my feet, there’s been random tingling/almost burning at times, (not painful) for weeks now, though very rarely in the groin area, and very inconsistent. (Of course, I’ve been obsessing over all this, too, though, I know.) Also, particularly my inner thighs and the backs of my thighs up to my butt are very sore (like muscularly) and sometimes feels warm. Could Herpes cause all this without visible sores and for this long, or perhaps more likely this is from just worrying and tensing up?
4) There’s a place near me called ANY LAB TEST NOW that does the Igg Herpes test for $49, among many, many other tests. Have you heard of this Lab and are they reliable?
5) A few days before I noticed the spot I had a “flu-like” spell with slight fever and headache, but this came on with heavy sinus congestion and coughing and phlegm. Could that be in any way related?
6) If this spot is indeed Herpes, would more necessarily appear, and how soon?
7) I’ve had the discharge and tightness, frequent urination but no pain, just mild irritation, for so long without visible sores. I guess, what I’m asking is does this seem like prostatitis, or anything else to you? My urologist said it was either prostatitis or all in my head, which is difficult to accept?
8) A test now, (being 7 weeks) for Herpes is roughly 70% accurate?
Sorry for all the questions. I’m just one that likes to be well-informed.
--Again, thanks!
Just to be clear, I did have a negative Herpes test at 5 weeks also. And I do actually have some more questions:
1) I’ve taken (Flagyl, Doxy, Cipro) during this time. Any of these affect a blood test in any way?
2) Could being on these antibiotics in such a time cause a spot like this, some kind of a skin abnormality. Because I know my face certainly looks more flushed than usual, and I seem to have more pimples everywhere?
3) All around and up and down my legs and butt, even to my feet, there’s been random tingling/almost burning at times, (not painful) for weeks now, though very rarely in the groin area, and very inconsistent. (Of course, I’ve been obsessing over all this, too, though, I know.) Also, particularly my inner thighs and the backs of my thighs up to my butt are very sore (like muscularly) and sometimes feels warm. Could Herpes cause all this without visible sores and for this long, or perhaps more likely this is from just worrying and tensing up?
4) There’s a place near me called ANY LAB TEST NOW that does the Igg Herpes test for $49, among many, many other tests. Have you heard of this Lab and are they reliable?
5) A few days before I noticed the spot I had a “flu-like” spell with slight fever and headache, but this came on with heavy sinus congestion and coughing and phlegm. Could that be in any way related?
6) If this spot is indeed Herpes, would more necessarily appear, and how soon?
7) I’ve had the discharge and tightness, frequent urination but no pain, just mild irritation, for so long without visible sores. I guess, what I’m asking is does this seem like prostatitis, or anything else to you? My urologist said it was either prostatitis or all in my head, which is difficult to accept?
8) A test now, (being 7 weeks) for Herpes is roughly 70% accurate?
Sorry for all the questions. I’m just one that likes to be well-informed.
--Again, thanks!
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum
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.
