Do I have an STD?

[powerade21]

Symptoms, I had two large bumps on my inner thigh. One went away completely. The other is just about gone but is really small now. They both left dark spots. No puss or liquid came from them. Just a little blood from one of the bumps.

5 months ago I tested positive for Herpes by IgM test. I had the combination of IgG and IgM test. IgG was not positive. Here I my results below for the positive test. I got tested again using IgG only. This time it was negative. I don't remember the exact number. But I believe the number was < 0.6  I used Lab Corp for my test. Since all this has happened. I have not had intercourse at all. I have participated in mutual jerking off. Prior to the positive result. I had unprotected oral three times. The other times I received oral was with a condom. I'm trying to figure out if I have an STD or folliculitis or something else. Before I tested positive. I had no physical symptoms besides the two large bumps. After the positive. I started to feel a warming or burning sensation on my penis, pubic hair, and on my thighs. And an itchiness at the tip of the back of my penis. I started to feel this all the time. So I started using dial antibacterial soap. And now I am using Lotrimin Ultra for jock itch. It really helps. The tip of my penis looks like it is starting to change color. It is turning dark black. No burning sensation or discharge when I urinate. Can this be an STD?
Thanks for your help

              TESTS                  RESULT     FLAG     UNITS     REFERENCE      INTERVAL
HSV, IgM I II combination       1.27           High      Ratio         0.00-                  0.90
                                                                         Negative                           1.09
Herpes Simplex Virus I II, IgG
HSV I/II, IgG                          <0.9                      Index          0.0-                    0.8
                                                                         Negative                            1.0

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the STD forum.

Starting with the opening line, "Symptoms, I had two large bumps on my inner thigh."  No STD is a likely cause of such bumps in that location.  So unless there is a surprise in the rest of your question, most likely an STD doesn't explain the problem.

Now I have read the rest.  No change.  Please read any of 50+ other threads about the poor performance of the HSV IgM test.  Here is a fairly recent one with a detailed discussion:  http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Confusiion-over-other-IgM-Herpes-posts/show/248394

The bottom line is that your apparently positive IgM HSV antibody test is meaningless, a false positive result -- which is confirmed by the negative IgG test.  Herpes is not the cause of the bumps.  And in any case, as suggested above, I would not have suspected herpes anyway for such lesions in that location.  And the modified color of the skin around your meatus doesn't sound suspicious for anythong abnormal either.

Bottom line:  No herpes, no symptoms to suggest any other STD. See a health care provider for confirmation if you remain concerned.

Regards--  HHH, MD

[powerade21]

Thanks Doctor I really appreciate it. I am starting to believe that a lot of what I feel with the exception of the discoloration on my penis is psychological because of the false positive. I have just a few quick questions. I am a little confused by HSV I. I have heard doctors say that most people have HSV I. Does that mean they were simply born that way? And If so, can they pass their HSV I onto a sexual partner? Or does it not apply because they did not receive it through sexual contact? Also, doctors recommend that you wait at least three months to be tested for an STD. Does that mean to wait three months before you are tested again or three months since your last exposure? What can happen to your results if you retest too soon?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Whenever a person believes his or her own symptoms have a psychological origin, usually s/he is correct.

HSV-1 is acquired orally by most people during childhood and is not concisered an STD.  Once in a while oral HSV-1 is transmitted to a partner by kissing or by oral sex.  3 months means after the last exposure that could have resulted in an infection; too early and the test might not show anything, even if someone is infected.

For more information, go to some websites dedicated to STD education, like www.ashastd.org or www.cdc.gov/std.

[powerade21]

Thanks so much for all your help