Aa
Viral Shedding Clarification
I have been identified as having herpes on the opening of my penis hole by an STD clinic. Two questions come to mind as I start to try and understand future issues I will face:
1. Will all future skin issues (due to the virus) appear on the tip of my penis as well??
2. When a symptomatic viral shedding occurs, will also take place on the tip of my penis??
As you can probably tell, I am getting at the ability if a condom to prevent most, if not all, of my ability to spread the virus in the future (obviously being symptom free at the time).
Thank you for your time and follow-up comments.
1. Will all future skin issues (due to the virus) appear on the tip of my penis as well??
2. When a symptomatic viral shedding occurs, will also take place on the tip of my penis??
As you can probably tell, I am getting at the ability if a condom to prevent most, if not all, of my ability to spread the virus in the future (obviously being symptom free at the time).
Thank you for your time and follow-up comments.
I guess saying urethritis is pretty general. My urethra always seems swollen inside and the opening will stick together. I do not have pain or burning and urination seems normal. All I know is that white blood count from swab >5 for a long time despite antibiotics.
Ex-girl's doctor's office forgot to do the herpes testing. She found that out today instead of results. Great.. She gave more blood today.
Recap:
Unprotected sex 6 wks ago.
Day 4-5: meatitis, urethritis, slight pinch from time-to-time inside penis head, minor urge to urinate; herpes urethral swab culture negative
Day 12: white blood cells on swab; given Azithromycin 1g & Ceftriaxone shot although no bacteria found, no change
Day 38: white blood cells on swab; given Azithromycin 1g although no bacteria found; clinic would not swab urethra for herpes, no change
Day 43 (today): urethra sticky inside still, meatus still a shade of red
Urethritis with specifically meatus irritation often herpes predictor.. On the other hand, no pain says not.
Recurrent NGU not healing with Azithromycin?? (Stronger antibiotics needed..)
Some other virus annoying my urethra for so long??
Prostate/bladder infection despite no abdominal pain??
Herpes??
Thanks for your thoughts while I wait (again) for the ex's test results.
Recap:
Unprotected sex 6 wks ago.
Day 4-5: meatitis, urethritis, slight pinch from time-to-time inside penis head, minor urge to urinate; herpes urethral swab culture negative
Day 12: white blood cells on swab; given Azithromycin 1g & Ceftriaxone shot although no bacteria found, no change
Day 38: white blood cells on swab; given Azithromycin 1g although no bacteria found; clinic would not swab urethra for herpes, no change
Day 43 (today): urethra sticky inside still, meatus still a shade of red
Urethritis with specifically meatus irritation often herpes predictor.. On the other hand, no pain says not.
Recurrent NGU not healing with Azithromycin?? (Stronger antibiotics needed..)
Some other virus annoying my urethra for so long??
Prostate/bladder infection despite no abdominal pain??
Herpes??
Thanks for your thoughts while I wait (again) for the ex's test results.
Urethral opening is much of the same all month.
More pink & puffy than before the start (I try not to constantly look, use soap directly on it, or get urethral swabs for fun = less redness like week 2-3)
Scaly, circular skin, 'like a chapped lips' look
Sticky inside still
No burning/No soreness/No scabbing at all
All very dry on my penis these days
The glans has been on/off scaly dry or cracked skin but worse lately. The glans is not soft anymore but leathery. There are faint red and white spots on the glands but not sure if that's been present always. I had the one episode on day 28 where the underside of the shaft peeled almost completely. My knuckles are very dry, cracked probably from washing my hands so much. My tongue develops a little bit of thrush from day-to-day but not sure what's a normal amount.
Not sure what else it could be. I think that's why the clinic I was at leaned toward H. They weren't coming up with bacteria and white blood cells were present on the smear (days 4 & 11).
From day 11 as well
HSV 1: Greater than 6
HSV 2: Less than .9
HSV 1/2: 1.42 Confirm. Ifa Negative.
More pink & puffy than before the start (I try not to constantly look, use soap directly on it, or get urethral swabs for fun = less redness like week 2-3)
Scaly, circular skin, 'like a chapped lips' look
Sticky inside still
No burning/No soreness/No scabbing at all
All very dry on my penis these days
The glans has been on/off scaly dry or cracked skin but worse lately. The glans is not soft anymore but leathery. There are faint red and white spots on the glands but not sure if that's been present always. I had the one episode on day 28 where the underside of the shaft peeled almost completely. My knuckles are very dry, cracked probably from washing my hands so much. My tongue develops a little bit of thrush from day-to-day but not sure what's a normal amount.
Not sure what else it could be. I think that's why the clinic I was at leaned toward H. They weren't coming up with bacteria and white blood cells were present on the smear (days 4 & 11).
From day 11 as well
HSV 1: Greater than 6
HSV 2: Less than .9
HSV 1/2: 1.42 Confirm. Ifa Negative.
You mention some issues at your urethral opening in your first post, how is that progressing today? Same? Any scabbing since the STD folks told you it was urethral herpes?
Wish I knew the answer right now for both of us. Did you ever have skin flake off the shaft? I thought candida could be a possibility for me (although I have never suffered from it before on the penis) but just read someone mention that their HSV2 infection masks the same symptoms. Tough thought..
If you ever get a firm answer on what's causing the wrinkly glans, red scrotum and irritated meatus, let me know... that's about 85% of my issue. Perhaps more.
New & Different Symptoms on Day 29 after unprotected sex:
I took a shower this morning (like most days 6am) but I did not use any soap on my penis for the first time simply to see if the meatus would be less irritated today w/o soap use. About 10 am after urinating at work, I noticed much Peeling/Flaking of a large area of skin on the underside of my penis shaft. Also, the scrotum was red. I just looked down (5pm) and most of the peeling has come off except for a few pieces and the scrotum is still red. My glans is so wrinkled these days and has extra saggy skin that is no longer taunt like it used to be a month ago. Any thoughts on this strange or or not-so-strange stuff? Thanks!
The lady friend has agreed to go get tested. I made it clear she needs igG type specific testing. This should be very helpful has my HSV2 baseline was negative.
It has been difficult for me to articulate the visual presentation of my symptoms so far. It literally reminds me of taking dry chapped lips with little separate patches of extra skin and that's my urinary meatus. It also will stick together every morning and from time-to-time throughout the day. This has occurred for approx a month now.
I question whether the extra skin are mini blisters. If they aren't, I wonder how likely meatus irritation and swelling would be my only symptom.
It has been difficult for me to articulate the visual presentation of my symptoms so far. It literally reminds me of taking dry chapped lips with little separate patches of extra skin and that's my urinary meatus. It also will stick together every morning and from time-to-time throughout the day. This has occurred for approx a month now.
I question whether the extra skin are mini blisters. If they aren't, I wonder how likely meatus irritation and swelling would be my only symptom.
My thought is to be more direct with the GF. Two months together is long enough to know whether or not she is a remotely considerate person. Assuming she isn't a complete piece of human crap, you should be able to coax her into spenind 45 minutes at a clinic getting tested. If she won't, then you might be smart to presume she knows more than she's telling.
If you have HSV2 (and I'm not saying I think you do) odds are she gave it to you. So I think you might need to make her understand that her going to get tested could save you weeks (if not months) of torment.
Your IgG is negative, but that's not saying anything so soon after contact. You already know that though.
If you have HSV2 (and I'm not saying I think you do) odds are she gave it to you. So I think you might need to make her understand that her going to get tested could save you weeks (if not months) of torment.
Your IgG is negative, but that's not saying anything so soon after contact. You already know that though.
Initial blood results today (drawn 11 days after intercourse):
igG Type-1: Positive (I've had cold sores and had a minor one mid-Dec)
igG Type-2: Negative (nurse said report said <.90)
igM: Negative Confirmation at 1.24
Symptoms of irritation at urethra or meatus continue. It is red and skin looks rougher/raw. There have been no noticeable stages of symptoms over the past three weeks. Additionally, I have noticed all this week gray/white coloring, and dry ashy skin on the head of my penis. The clinic recommended I see a dermatologist. Something is still going on with 3+ weeks of this irritation but my dermatologist appointment is not until March...
Further thoughts or advice please. And thanks for the time and concern.
I am not sure what type of blood test it is. Will ask when the results are made known. If it is for igM antibodies, would it have some usefulness in my case as blood was drawn 11 days after possible exposure?
The nurse told me that Gon, Chl, Syp were negative and the herpes culture was negative. The 15-min swab had white blood cells present but nothing else was mentioned. Should they be looking/testing for other bacteria options too that I should point out?
I will have another convo with the GF. Previously, she mentioned waiting until after my results before she made any decisions on testing. We have only been together for 2 months and this scenario has taken some toll on our relationship unfortunately.
This doesn't sound primarily like herpes. The antibody test will tell you very little given this would most likely be a recent infection.
Did the swab come back for anything positive, bacteria etc??
The best next step is to ask your girlfriend to have the IgG antibody blood test type specific for HSV1 and HSV2.
Did the swab come back for anything positive, bacteria etc??
The best next step is to ask your girlfriend to have the IgG antibody blood test type specific for HSV1 and HSV2.
As a follow-up, would it make sense for these tiny blister-looking spots to be lining both the left and right side of the urethra opening but not move out onto the head of the penis??
Hey folks, only half the news came in. The swab culture was negative from two weeks ago. The swab was taken over the irratation and stickiness right at the tip and slightly inside my urethra. The nurse said that the blood antibodies test won't be in until next Thursday again... Can't believe another week for another result...
At this point, the rim of the urethra is irritated and pretty much like chapped lips. I cannot decided whether it looks like tiny blisters lined on both sides or dry, chapped skin there There does not seem like fluid ever inside but it is almost too small to tell. If this is herpes, what is the likelihood of the blister-looking spots scabbing over?
I have not seen scabbing but still inflammation and clear-sticky substance. This was what the doctor swabbed. The area is often moist from itself and urination.
It seems like one main bump is half in the urethra and half out. This is the main area of inflammation. The surrounding rim has very very small circular dry spots as well but I don't think I would say it is a cluster.
The nurse took blood last Thursday that will be in this Thursday but I imagine my HSV-1 oral would disqualify any early finding.
It seems like one main bump is half in the urethra and half out. This is the main area of inflammation. The surrounding rim has very very small circular dry spots as well but I don't think I would say it is a cluster.
The nurse took blood last Thursday that will be in this Thursday but I imagine my HSV-1 oral would disqualify any early finding.
15 days ago was the intercourse with recent girlfriend but first unprotected. No prior herpes testing for either. Penis symptoms began 13 days ago.
I had on/off headache first few days. I have had cold sores on the mouth in the past so I believe I already have HSV-1 oral. Urination is not painful. The rim is not painful to touch but sensitive to clothing periodically and if I inspect too much.
Around the rim of the urethra opening, there appears to always be a blend of dry circular skin, tiny papercut marks, moisture/stickiness, swelling of the skin (specifically on one side), irritation (ulcer is too strong, let me remove that).
I had on/off headache first few days. I have had cold sores on the mouth in the past so I believe I already have HSV-1 oral. Urination is not painful. The rim is not painful to touch but sensitive to clothing periodically and if I inspect too much.
Around the rim of the urethra opening, there appears to always be a blend of dry circular skin, tiny papercut marks, moisture/stickiness, swelling of the skin (specifically on one side), irritation (ulcer is too strong, let me remove that).
If this is herpes it should have scabbed over by now and well under way in healing. Once its on the surface the one sore opens and spreads the virus to the immediate surrounding area in a cluster type formation. You should also have a blood test as this would confirm recent or old infection.
What was the time period from your possible exposure to the sores developing?
What was the time period from your possible exposure to the sores developing?
When do you think you contracted it? Last sex exposure? Prior herpes testing?
Any other symptoms? Fever? Fatigue? Painful urination?
Terri Warren (this site's herpes expert) has said on several occasions that herpes limited to the head of the penis is extraordinarly rare.
Lastly, you say there is ulceration... you mean there are actual ulcers at the tip of your urethra?
Any other symptoms? Fever? Fatigue? Painful urination?
Terri Warren (this site's herpes expert) has said on several occasions that herpes limited to the head of the penis is extraordinarly rare.
Lastly, you say there is ulceration... you mean there are actual ulcers at the tip of your urethra?
I purposefully used the word identified, not diagnosed. Gon, Chl, and Syph were negative week 1. The bacteria slide did not show anything although some white blood cells were seen. The swab test result is supposed to be in on Thursday. Two doctors and a nurse at the clinic all lean toward herpes as the cause. Symptoms are localized at the rim of the penis being chafed, red, ulcerated, sticky-clear discharge for the last 12 days. It seems to match numerous symptoms and there is no information in another direction unfortunately. I am trying to look into questions if the swab is positive.
Hi, lets start off by how you were diagnosed that the penis tip is herpes as is a odd place for it to develop.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
