Do I Have Herpes

[Steve860]

Two weeks ago after having sex I noticed that a rash started to appears two days afterwards around my groin. I thought at first that it might have been heat rash. Red spots started to form and then they became white (like blisters). They didn't cause me much trouble and were not too painful. They disappeard within a week although some red spots are still visible where the white spots originally were. Yesterday though, I noticed when I pulled up my foreskin that spots were starting to form on the head of my penis. I went to the doctor and asked him what it was and he told me that it was a viral infection and told me to apply zovirax to it.

The spots themselves are not painful nor do they cause any trouble. The only thing I'm worried about is that I may be after getting herpes. Also does anyone know what the implications of herpes are and if they can be cured completely? How common is herpes?

[Steve860]

Thanks Grace. Just another point that I never mentioned although I'm not sure if it makes any difference. I was with the same girl 2 weeks before hand and didn't get any outbreak in spots

[gracefromHHP]

zovirax only is used for herpes. it's relatively ineffective though for genital herpes. no idea why your provider told you what he did and gave you this  medication.

http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn.cfm  is a good general overview of herpes for more info.

bottom line is you've had no testing and your provider really didn't tell you anything useful but prescribed you an expensive medication for no good reason :(  Odds are that you've never been tested for herpes. If you have a regular partner, the two of you should discuss this and discuss both of you going for type specific herpes igg blood testing. Otherwise follow up on this with a more helpful provider if it doesn't clear up or reoccurs.  

grace