Did I catch herpes ?

About a week ago had protected vaginal sex and received unprotected oral right after. A couple of days later I noticed about three or four small red bumps on my penis in the area right above the foreskin and below the base of the head.  After a few days they seemed to lessen in redness and the skin in the area almost seemed to dry up - I easily rubbed the skin off thinking it was dead but the bumps re-appeared.  They almost look like pimples and am experiencing a very high level of anxiety thinking this is herpes. There is no pain and I do not see any type of discharge but don't know what else this could be.  It's been about five days since this appeared - Could this be irritation of some type from the condom, spermicide, not washing the lubrication off afterwards,  or could I have caught something from the oral sex.  Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Scared to Death

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Of course hard to tell without seeing you, but your guesses as to the cause sound pretty good:  chemical irritation (e.g., due to lubricant or spermicide in the condom), yeast infection (sometimes can be acquired by oral sex, since yeasts are normal in the mouth), or herpes (also more likely in this case from oral sex than from vaginal sex, assuming no genital contact before or after the condom was in place).

Of these, herpes seems least likely.  But I suggest you get examined, especially if the lesions don't clear up in the next few days.  But if you're looking for silver linings, even if it is herpes, you are unlikely to have an ongoing problem with recurrent outbreaks.  Herpes from oral sex almost always is due to the type 1 herpes virus, which does not usually cause recurrent herpes of the genitals.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[elizabethof2]

I have been irritated on my vagiana for like almost a month. It started off like a yeast infection but then I ended up with a sore now my whole vagina is peeling even closer to my bottom. I don't have insurance and I tried to get into a planned parent hood but I can't be seen for almost another month. I can't wait that long. Please I'm so scared someone help me. I have been with my husband for 17 years and married 15 out of them and have never cheated nor do I believe he has. Please I need help