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Genital Warts Concern - How to get Tested
Hello Doctor,
About six months ago I noticed many small red/flesh colored bumps on the head of my penis. The bumps seem to appear in rows that run vertically from corona to the tip of the penis.
Last week I went to the doctor and he said he did not think I had genital warts or herpes but he swapped the area and sent it in for testing along with an urine test to check for other STD's. When the results came back they were all negative.
My doctor told me not to lose sleep over the issue but he could not explain the abnormal bumps. Currently,they cause me no pain but do cause me restlessness. I have tried applying vinegar to the area to see if I could check for warts but the vinegar only irritates my skin, causing it to turn red.
My question is - How accurate is the swab test when checking for genital warts? Should I see another specialist?
What could be causing these bumps on my penis?
Although it may be unrelated, I have also noticed a slight back pain and a pain that runs down my legs on occasion. I have read this could be a sign of herpes but I have had no other symptoms and the test the doctor conducted came back negative.
About six months ago I noticed many small red/flesh colored bumps on the head of my penis. The bumps seem to appear in rows that run vertically from corona to the tip of the penis.
Last week I went to the doctor and he said he did not think I had genital warts or herpes but he swapped the area and sent it in for testing along with an urine test to check for other STD's. When the results came back they were all negative.
My doctor told me not to lose sleep over the issue but he could not explain the abnormal bumps. Currently,they cause me no pain but do cause me restlessness. I have tried applying vinegar to the area to see if I could check for warts but the vinegar only irritates my skin, causing it to turn red.
My question is - How accurate is the swab test when checking for genital warts? Should I see another specialist?
What could be causing these bumps on my penis?
Although it may be unrelated, I have also noticed a slight back pain and a pain that runs down my legs on occasion. I have read this could be a sign of herpes but I have had no other symptoms and the test the doctor conducted came back negative.
Do you know what types of HPV the 2 swabs my doctor took and sent in could test for? All he told me was - the test would reveal if the bumps were genital warts.
Should these test results along with my my doctors visual examination bring piece of mind?
My doc did not seem concerned when the tests came back negative, as he already thought i did NOT have genital warts.
Should these test results along with my my doctors visual examination bring piece of mind?
My doc did not seem concerned when the tests came back negative, as he already thought i did NOT have genital warts.
The best way is the duo combination of biopsy and HPV PCR test. My urologist said biopsy of glans penis is not recommended, as such area will need longer than usual time for healing. An abnormal histological appearance of the cells from the bumps (via biopsy) could tell if there is dysplastic cells (cancerous, be it benign or non benign) are there. AFAIK, there are many types of biopsy
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/biopsy/art-20043922?pg=2
Punch biopsy is quite deep cf shave biopsy.
So, a HPV PCR test using swab sample could be sufficient to tell if HPV infection is present, although it is generally said if you have had at least 4 partner in your lifetime, HPV is usually positive.
It is a lot more precise to take a biopsy of the lesion and extract DNA for HPV test but this is up to the urologist/you.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/biopsy/art-20043922?pg=2
Punch biopsy is quite deep cf shave biopsy.
So, a HPV PCR test using swab sample could be sufficient to tell if HPV infection is present, although it is generally said if you have had at least 4 partner in your lifetime, HPV is usually positive.
It is a lot more precise to take a biopsy of the lesion and extract DNA for HPV test but this is up to the urologist/you.
You are reading content posted in the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 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.
