HSV 2 Anxiety

I had unprotected sex with a woman twice during the period of January 21 to February 4. About a week later (after the first sexual encounter) I noticed what appeared to be a large zit on the head of my penis. It wasn't painful and I popped it, cleaned it, and it healed within a few days. I didn't think anything of it.

In late March, she informed me that she had gone to her gynecologist and had been tested positive for Chlamydia. Around this same time, I noticed that I had very small singular red bumps in a few places (2-3) around the head of my penis and on the shaft. They did not hurt, itch, or cause any discomfort and they were not clustered. If I hadn't seen them visually I would not have known they were there.

I went to my doctor on April 21 for a battery of STD tests. I was tested for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, HIV, and HSV 1 and 2. The next day I was informed that I had tested negative for all STDs except Chlamydia. I got a prescription for antibiotics and took it the same day.

Since then, I have been getting the same small red bumps on the shaft of my penis and around the head. It seems like I get one new one per week. They do not hurt, they are no larger than the top of a pin, and they are not clustered. I have been inspecting them constantly and they never appear to fill with fluid or form sores of any kind. I have been slightly itchy around my groin and thighs as well, but nothing excessive.

When I had my HSV 1/2 IgG test, both came back negative. The test was on April 21, and I would have been exposed either in the last week of January or the first week of February, meaning the test was taken at the three month point. The girl who gave me Chlamydia just went to the same doctor who diagnosed her with Chlamydia today and told me everything checked out. Still, I'm having incredible anxiety about these bumps because they have been appearing and disappearing for the better part of four and a half months. Does this sound like Herpes?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the STD forum.

Herpes does not really behave like either of the genital lesions you describe.  A typical pimple usually is just that.  And fleeting, on and off red spots are not a typical herpes symptom either.  Herpes lesions always progress from red bump to blister to sore to scab to healing within 10-14 days.  Finally, the large majority (over 80%) of people with new HSV infections have positive blood tests within the period when you were tested, i.e. ~10 weeks since February 4.  Combining the atypical symptoms plus the blood test results, you can be very confident you don't have genital herpes.

Show the penile bumps to your doctor.  If s/he is uncertain about the cause, see a dermatologist.  Whatever you have, almost certainly it is noting serious -- and herpes really is out of the picture entirely.

I hope this helps.  Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[ksubi]

Thanks for the info Dr.

I'd like to maybe clarify a few things, just to be absolutely sure. The small red bumps I've been having do eventually seem to dry out/form a scab at some point, but I've not noticed any of them ever forming a blister or sore. Like I said, they have never seemed to be fluid-filled, nor have they formed painful sores prior to healing. They seem to behave a lot like a pimple on your face that heals by itself without you messing with it or popping it.

I've read that herpes can vary widely from person to person, which is why I'm wondering if my symptoms are simply very mild outbreaks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Herpes outbreaks rarely occur more often than once a month.  It seems you are describing a pattern much more frequent than that.  And your more description of the appearance of the spots continues to be inconsistent with herpes. Don't assume that just because a rash is on the penis, it must be herpes or another STD.  There are innumerable causes of genital area rash.  Please stop trying to figure it out online and see a provider about it.

[ksubi]

I have an appointment this coming Tuesday with my doctor...I'm just trying to calm my nerves until then. Thanks for your replies, they are much appreciated.