Delayed Herpes Symptoms??

I recently developed a tingling red bump on the shaft of my penis which has lasted about a week and developed into a scab. It wasn't painful to touch and there was no discomfort other than the tingling. There are no other noticeable sores on my penis at all.

Here's the strange part. I've been in a monogomous relationship with my girlfriend for two years. However, due to her religious views there has been no sexual contact between us other than manual stimulation. What could this sore be? Could it be possible that I've had this for two years and its just been dormant? Is it possible that I could have had it this long and just not noticed? I know I should go to a clinic, but I just wanted to hear your thoughts first.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Herpes is by far the most common overall cause of genital sores.  Your description is pretty typical for recurrent genital herpes, but it is also consistent with a minor skin infection, like folliculitis or a pimple.  If you have herpes, almost certainly you have had it from some past sex partner; nobody gets genital herpes from hand-genital contact.  Such prolonged but previously asymptomatic genital herpes is very common, perhaps especially when the infection is due to HSV-1, which causes less frequent outbreaks than HSV-2.

Yes, you need to see a health care provider for proper diagnosis.  Assuming all traces of the genital lesion are gone when you are examined, you'll need a blood test for HSV-1 and HSV-2.  If positive for HSV-2, that will make the diagnosis firm:  you have genital herpes.  If negative to both HSV-1 and -2, it will prove your genital lesion was not due to herpes.  If positive for only HSV-1, you won't know; that outcome could be due to either distant childhood oral infection or to more recent infection, either genital or oral.

Bottom line:  I don't know whether or not you have genital herpes, but it's possible.  If so, you didn't acquire it from your current manual-only girlfriend.

Best wishes--   HHH, MD