Aa
Herpes Concerns
Hi Dr.
Between 2 and 3 months ago I regretfully began having unprotected sex with a female I was dating in college. I wasn't worried about any STD's because I had known her for awhile in college. Anyway, its been between 2 and 3 months since I had sex with her, and I did not notice any signs of any std's until this past Monday.
I had been experiencing a tingling sensation in the head of my penis for a few days, but no bumps ever came up. Nothing prominent, just every now and then I would feel it. However, on Monday I went to play golf and when I came home I did another quick check and sure enough there was a small (the size of a pen head, literally) clear bump that was red. Didn't hurt, itch, or anything, I would have never noticed it. Stupidly I scratched the head of it off and now there is a tiny scab over the hole. The hole was so small I would never have seen it if not for the redness.
I went to the local immediate care and got an igg test done, which came back negative yesterday ( I believe they did HSV 1 and 2, but perhaps just 2). However, I am concerned I got it done too early. I know for a fact that it was atleast 2 months since I had sex. I don't know what to do at this point. Besides the guilt and anxiety, I am dating someone else and do not know if I should consider myself positive for herpes. And with just my luck there is a red bump on my lip that just formed today which has me worried too.
Any advice would be appreciated, thank you.
Between 2 and 3 months ago I regretfully began having unprotected sex with a female I was dating in college. I wasn't worried about any STD's because I had known her for awhile in college. Anyway, its been between 2 and 3 months since I had sex with her, and I did not notice any signs of any std's until this past Monday.
I had been experiencing a tingling sensation in the head of my penis for a few days, but no bumps ever came up. Nothing prominent, just every now and then I would feel it. However, on Monday I went to play golf and when I came home I did another quick check and sure enough there was a small (the size of a pen head, literally) clear bump that was red. Didn't hurt, itch, or anything, I would have never noticed it. Stupidly I scratched the head of it off and now there is a tiny scab over the hole. The hole was so small I would never have seen it if not for the redness.
I went to the local immediate care and got an igg test done, which came back negative yesterday ( I believe they did HSV 1 and 2, but perhaps just 2). However, I am concerned I got it done too early. I know for a fact that it was atleast 2 months since I had sex. I don't know what to do at this point. Besides the guilt and anxiety, I am dating someone else and do not know if I should consider myself positive for herpes. And with just my luck there is a red bump on my lip that just formed today which has me worried too.
Any advice would be appreciated, thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I agree with everything you report on behalf of the clinic doctor, and for sure with your own conclusion that it's time to let this go.
Dr. Hansfield,
Per your advise I went back to the same clinic and saw the same doctor. She said the lesion didn't look like "anything serious," but that if it was herpes she wouldn't be able to tell for sure because it had started to heal too much. Today, the lesion is pretty much gone with just a slight shiny coating, but it looks much better.
However, I expressed my concerns that I was only tested for HSV-2, but she confirmed that I was infact tested for both and that if this was herpes, the timing would be off because most likely I would have showed symptoms within the first two weeks and that if this was the initial breakout symptoms would be much more severe.
I think that coupled with the negative igg tests, the fact that the female I had sex with did not express any concerns to me (we remain friends and was very open about telling me her test results), the timing, and the one single lesion leads to pretty significant evidence against herpes. At the least I have paperwork showing the women I am dating that I did get tested. I think its time I let this one go, I think you will agree.
Per your advise I went back to the same clinic and saw the same doctor. She said the lesion didn't look like "anything serious," but that if it was herpes she wouldn't be able to tell for sure because it had started to heal too much. Today, the lesion is pretty much gone with just a slight shiny coating, but it looks much better.
However, I expressed my concerns that I was only tested for HSV-2, but she confirmed that I was infact tested for both and that if this was herpes, the timing would be off because most likely I would have showed symptoms within the first two weeks and that if this was the initial breakout symptoms would be much more severe.
I think that coupled with the negative igg tests, the fact that the female I had sex with did not express any concerns to me (we remain friends and was very open about telling me her test results), the timing, and the one single lesion leads to pretty significant evidence against herpes. At the least I have paperwork showing the women I am dating that I did get tested. I think its time I let this one go, I think you will agree.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
A herpes lesion would be unlikely to last this long, and doesn't cause a "blister" that is so small you have to stretch the skin to see it. That description is much more like an infected sebaceous cyst or hair follicle. My suggestion is that you keep your hands off it entirely, wait a week, then return to your provider if the lesion still is present. Insurance coverage won't be an issue; medical insurance companies don't limit the number of visits for a particular diagnosis or health problem. In the meantime, I remain quite certain herpes isn't the problem here.
Feel free to report back after you have been professionally reexamined, but definitely not until then.
Feel free to report back after you have been professionally reexamined, but definitely not until then.
Hello again Doctor,
I considered going back to a health provider, but I am afradi my insurance won't cover another visit for a herpes test. The bump is still there, which is now going on 7 days. Yesterday I scratched the top off ( I know I shouldn't do this), and a flake of skin came off with a tiny piece of scab. Today, the scab has reformed.
My concern is that I was only tested for HSV-2, so I am going to call the clinic to confirm. I now have what looks to be a cold sore on my lip, so I guess I transfered it from the bump on my penis, I'm not sure. This is causing me so much stress I don't know what to do. I even asked the female her situation, and she said that she had been tested just prior to our relationship, but I doubt she had a blood test for HSV as I know that isn't a routine procedure when you go for a general std screening.
In my mind, herpes is the only thing that could be causing this lesion. It had a red base, a small little blister, and i had discomfort in my urethra. It never hurt though. Could a herpes blister be "scratched" off like this? There is a little outline of a circle and a blister dead in the middle, but very small. in fact, I have to stretch the skin to see it. I've never had anything like this until now. having a cold sore now is only heightening my anxiety.
Is there anyway this could be something else? Thank you so much.
I considered going back to a health provider, but I am afradi my insurance won't cover another visit for a herpes test. The bump is still there, which is now going on 7 days. Yesterday I scratched the top off ( I know I shouldn't do this), and a flake of skin came off with a tiny piece of scab. Today, the scab has reformed.
My concern is that I was only tested for HSV-2, so I am going to call the clinic to confirm. I now have what looks to be a cold sore on my lip, so I guess I transfered it from the bump on my penis, I'm not sure. This is causing me so much stress I don't know what to do. I even asked the female her situation, and she said that she had been tested just prior to our relationship, but I doubt she had a blood test for HSV as I know that isn't a routine procedure when you go for a general std screening.
In my mind, herpes is the only thing that could be causing this lesion. It had a red base, a small little blister, and i had discomfort in my urethra. It never hurt though. Could a herpes blister be "scratched" off like this? There is a little outline of a circle and a blister dead in the middle, but very small. in fact, I have to stretch the skin to see it. I've never had anything like this until now. having a cold sore now is only heightening my anxiety.
Is there anyway this could be something else? Thank you so much.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I saw this before my reply above. Your description doesn't sound like a typcial yeast infection, but of course I can't tell with any certainty. I look forward to learning the thoughts of a health professional based on direct examination.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum.
The HSV blood test usually is positive within 6 weeks of a new infection, and is always positive by 3 months. You apparently are approaching 3 months since the last exposure to your new/old partner, so your negative test result shows that almost certainly you do not have genital herpes.
As for the penile lesion, what did the urgent care clinic say about it? A single small lesion is unusual for the initial herpes outbreak. The timing is correct for other STDs, such as molluscum contagiosum or a genital wart -- but those don't cause blisters. Or maybe it's just a pimple, which is pretty common on the penis. I doubt it has anything to do with friction from clothing, playing golf, etc.
Bottom lines: Whatever you have, most likely it isn't herpes and may not be related at all to your sexual expousre 2-3 months ago. If the lesion wasn't examined (e.g., if you didn't say anything about it to the urgent care clinic), see a health care provider about it. Either way, let me know what the doctor's or clinic's opinion was.
Regards-- HHH, MD
The HSV blood test usually is positive within 6 weeks of a new infection, and is always positive by 3 months. You apparently are approaching 3 months since the last exposure to your new/old partner, so your negative test result shows that almost certainly you do not have genital herpes.
As for the penile lesion, what did the urgent care clinic say about it? A single small lesion is unusual for the initial herpes outbreak. The timing is correct for other STDs, such as molluscum contagiosum or a genital wart -- but those don't cause blisters. Or maybe it's just a pimple, which is pretty common on the penis. I doubt it has anything to do with friction from clothing, playing golf, etc.
Bottom lines: Whatever you have, most likely it isn't herpes and may not be related at all to your sexual expousre 2-3 months ago. If the lesion wasn't examined (e.g., if you didn't say anything about it to the urgent care clinic), see a health care provider about it. Either way, let me know what the doctor's or clinic's opinion was.
Regards-- HHH, MD
Sorry forgot to mention, the bump was on the shaft about an inch below the head. Also, I had been diagnosed with a yeast infection a few months prior, which I don't think completely cleared up because I stopped putting the cream on. Could this bump be in some way related to that and or from playing golf (ie sweating)? Thank you.
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
