Some classic herpes symptoms, some not

[DHW137]

I have some classic herpes symptoms like tingling in the genital area (mainly directly above the penis) and tender lymph nodes, small bumps on the penis and scrotum, and had general body aches and fatigue.  But the bumps have been there for almost 3 weeks, no bursting, no pain, just sitting there.  Waiting on blood test results, but everything I've read says the blisters are painful and burst fairly quickly.  Possible this is something else?

[gracefromHHP]

if this is a newly acquired infection, it won't show up in the blood test. how long before all this did you last have sex?  

this really doesn't sound like herpes.

grace

[DHW137]

Thank you so much for your response.  Received oral about 4 weeks ago.  Symptoms began about 3 weeks ago.  Woke up this morning with a new bump, can't say for sure that these are "blisters", look more like pimples.  Lymph nodes in groin are very tender, feeling very fatigued.

[DHW137]

It's been over 4 weeks now since I first noticed the scrotum bumps, and they're still there.  Blood test was predictable, negative IGG, but high IGM (meaningless, I know).  Negative for all other STD tests.  Waiting on PCR swab results now, the doctor 'unroofed' 2 bumps.  The doc said it didn't look like classic herpes blisters - he thought they looked more like cysts, but it just seems like I have every other symptom of herpes. Flu-like the first week, burning sensation, tingling, occasional nerve tingling in other parts of the body (arms, legs, feet), sore lymph nodes in goin and armpits.  I hope it's just about anything but herpes, but can't fathom what else it can be.

I guess my question is - Is it incredibly unusual for a hsv blister to last this long, especially without pain or bursting?  Or might this be expected?

Thank you again for all you do on this forum.  It's an enormous comfort.

[DHW137]

OK, over 5 weeks now and the bumps are still there.  PCR swabs came back negative for HSV1 and HSV2.  Still having some burning and redness and lymph node tenderness.  Doctor thinks it's not herpes, but is at a complete loss on how to explain it.  Going to see a different doctor.

Two questions - With such old bumps, would the PCR likely produce a false negative?  Or does the fact that they've hung around for 5 weeks now with no bursting or healing pretty much rule HSV out at this point?

[gracefromHHP]

I wouldn't bother with any lesion cultures at this point. they've been there way too long and odds are this isn't herpes going on.

see a dermatologist at this point.

grace

[DHW137]

Thank you Grace, your work on this forum is remarkable.

[DHW137]

Just to update, saw a dermatologist who said it's definitely NOT herpes.  Looks like sebaceous cysts (they're still there - over 7 weeks now), and thought that it may have been a minor fungal infection that's gone now.  Now back to the internist to follow up on the other symptoms, but starting to think this was mostly just stress & anxiety.  Thank you again to Grace and everyone who comments on this forum.