Symptoms

[scott417]

In late December I had sex where the condom broke.  A couple days later I received oral sex which was unprotected.  I believe at the time of the oral sex I might have had rug burn on my penis from my penis rubbing up against my swimsuit.  Soon after that I started to feel a slight burn when I would urinate.  This discomfort would last well over a month maybe up to 7 or 8 weeks.  It was never so painful that I would have to go to a doctor.  It was more of a discomfort.  I believe it was 3 days after the oral sex I started feeling discomfort around my anus.  The same day I noticed it, a  big discharge happened out of my anus area causing a lot of pus.  My whole backside of my underwear and shorts were covered in the wetness.  The pus was a milky color.  I believe it might have came from a blister.  After it discharged, I did not feel much discomfort.  It went away in a day or two.  
that was my first potential herpes symptoms.  The second potential happened about 18 or 19 days after the anal discharge.  I noticed redness around the ridge of my penis.  It was more annoying.Felt sensitive.  The redness was around my penis on the ridge.  It stayed on my penis for about 30 days or so.  By the time it seemed to disappear, it was only in small spots on my penis.  The opening of my penis was also red.
The third potential scare happened in early march.  A lot of redness and sensitivity started on the head of my penis.  This time it was not on my ridge of the penis but more on the head.  Also felt some discomfort when I would urinate.  At the same time I felt discomfort around my anus.  I looked at my anus and there were no sores or blisters but it looked like my skin around the anus was red and irritated.  Not sure if it was from a different type of toliet paper or if its related to my discharge that I had two months before.Was tested at 3 weeks and 4 weeks and was negative for everything.  All times doctor said it doesnt look like herpes.  What do you think?  

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Great.  I think it is most likely that at 12 weeks, you would have some antibody since you are negative for both at the start.

Terri

[scott417]

Terri thanks for the answer.  Just a little update. I got my results back today and I am negative on everything.  Got tested for everything including herpes 1 and 2 and was negative for both.  The numbers were <.91.  Not sure what that exactly means.  I took the test at the 12 weeks mark.  I know you recommend at the 16 mark but if I did have it would my numbers be higher??  I'm going to go to the doctor and try to get the oral medication.  Thanks for your help.  I feel a lot better now.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

There are oral medicines that are prescription to treat balanitis, yes.  You could talk to your doctor about that.  The topical antifungals take a while to work - I would give it at least two weeks to notice much improvement.

Terri

[scott417]

Terri, Im still waiting for the test.  They told me they will be in on monday.  I was doing some research and it seems like I could have balanitis because I don't have any sores or blisters.  Do you think that is a possibility?  The ketoconazole cream is not clearing it up but when i put it on it does feel better.  Not sure what that means.  Can you recommend something else I could use if it is in fact balanitis??  Are there any pills I could take?? Thanks

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I think it would be very unusual to have a rash without blister or sores that is herpes.  The testing that you do on Monday should help present a clearer picture for you, I hope!

Terri

[scott417]

Terri, how common is it in your experience for a male to have genital herpes and only get a rash on the penis head with no blisters or visible sores.  The reason I ask is because the rash on my penis has return somewhat.  I put some anti fungal cream on it and it did seem to help it but this is just getting annoying.  Do you I need to take some other type of treatment if in the cream is not completely clearing up the problem, presuming that it is some type of fungas??  I was under the impression that if it was fungal related the cream would destroy it completely.  This is the third time a rash with sensitive skin has appeared on my penis in 3 months.  I getting tested on monday for everything.  It has been 3 months since my last sexual exposure.  Any help would be great.  Thanks

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Your general practice provider could be a good place to start, definitely not a surgeon. As for this being anal gonorrhea - if you are male, have only female partners and no anal exposure, it would not be anal gonorrhea.  

Terri

[montrealmale]

it could be gonorrhea. have you looked into the symptoms?  Sometimes I can spread to your anus.

[scott417]

I have an appointment with my general surgeon.  not sure if he is the best guy to go to.  What type of doctor do you recommend I go see for this problem with my anus??

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I'm really unclear about the anal symptoms that you are having.  If you are having a bump near your anus, you need to get it evaluated right away.  I don't know how long before your appointment comes up, but I hope you do it soon.

Terri

[scott417]

Thanks for the response.  One last quetion.  As I mentioned before I had a discharge from my anus region.  Recently a hard bump popped up around my anus.  It is very hard and is somewhat painful when I push on it.  Its about 1 inch from my anus in my crack.  You think it is related??  Can it be anal herpes??  I have a appointment scheduled.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I think the response to medicine suggests fungal infection.  But someone in person evaluating you is a better guide.

Terri

[scott417]

Thanks for the response Terri.  yes I have.  It has gone away since I started using but again it went away last time without any cream so I am not sure if the cream helped or not.  So I am not sure if it will come back.  I have also had redness in my anal region.  Not sure if the two are connected.  What do you think?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

It doesn't sound like herpes to me no. Skin sensitivity and redness that kind of comes and goes without any sores certainly isn't typical.  have you tried any antifungal medicines on this area at all?

Terri

[scott417]

I'm positive about the discharge.  I felt it and it was definitely puss.  Maybe it was unrelated.  What about the redness on my penis.  I got redness which was tender around the ridge of my penis at about the 3rd week since my last sexual encounter.  There was slight burning when I urinated and the tip of my penis looked irritated.  This lasted for about 4 weeks then went away.  Then about 2 weeks after it ended, I got  a red like rash on my penis head.  Basically the same as before.  My skin was sensitive where the redness was.  No sores of blisters have appeared.  Does this sound like herpes to you??Thanks

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Don't know what to make out of the discharge from anus - are you sure about that?  Couldn't it just have been rain?  It just doesn't make sense that you would have an anal infection without any exposure there.  You can certainly test again, but the results will not be conclusive until about 16 weeks post possible infection.

Terri

[scott417]

I'm sorry I should have stated I am male.  All my partners have been females.  I have never had anal sex before or any contact with my anal region.  I only have protected sex but sometimes the condom breaks or comes off.  When the anal discharge happened I remember it was raining out that day and I sat down and it felt went on my pants so I didnt think anything about it.  Thenw when I took my pants off I noticed that there was sometype of discharge.  It was not painful at all.  Maybe a little discomfort.  I got tested at 3 weeks because that is when I started to think something could be wrong and I went to a std testing place where a doctor doesnt exam you.  After I got it I decided I wanted to see a doctor and went to one.  Thats when they tested me again.  What are you thoughts about it??  I plan on getting tested this week again which will be over 9 weeks post exposure.  

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I would be concerned about what would cause an anal discharge.  Have you been receptive with anal sex without a condom, or even with a condom?  You don't state the gender of your partners.  You were tested for herpes at both 3 weeks and 4 weeks post exposure?  That seems odd to me.  If you still have concerns, in spite of your doctor's best opinion, I would recommend testing at 16 weeks post exposure, and look for both HSV 1 and HSV 2.  

Terri

[scott417]

I would like to point out hat I have never had any blisters or sores that I could see on my penis.  I think it could have been a blister on my anus the first time and that is what caused a pus discharge.