Herpes or Not?

[cslo76]

About a year ago after unprotected sex with my then girlfiend I immeditaley the next day started to experience burning sensations on my skin and painful urination.  The skin of my penis was flaky and oily.  A doctor thought it was herpes, but did a swab test which was negative and sent me home.  The symptoms went away within a few days.  From then on every time we would have sex i would develop pain, burning skin, and painful urination.  I will get sores (not fluid filled) that almost look like burns that only last about 3-4 days.  It is like my skin just peels off.  My skin actually scars (discolored) where they occur.   The skin on my penis has basically been hurting for 10 months.  I've had type-specific blood tests at 3 months and 6 months all negative.  My girlfriend claims to have had testing done in July that were negative.  My family doctor looked at one of the sores and said it could be herpes, but if I have had that many negative tests to stop, relax, and quit spending money on tests.   If not herpes then what?  I have Crohn's disease and heard that can cause genital sores.  I have also been tested for HIV, Chlamydia, and Syphillis.

[infoseekr411]

In your reply, you said, "However, herpes typically appears only three weeks following exposure, not the next day as was the case in your circumstances"

Did you mean, THREE DAYS following exposure?

Based on some of the posts I have read and information on the web, three weeks is a lot longer than typical. I have read 2-12 days on most "reputable" web sites.

Would you please clarify?

Thanks.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I agree with your doctor.  There is no evidence that you have herpes.  Your doctor's diagnosis was based on the fact that herpes is the most common cause of  genital lesions.  However, herpes typically appears only three weeks following exposure, not the next day as was the case in your circumstances.  In addition, you have had multiple negative blood tests for herpes, further indicating that yo do not have the infection.  So what caused your irritation?  On occasion, people have skin reactions when exposed to substances which may be present in their partner's vagina.  Such substances may include materials from douches, spermicides, lubricants or feminine hygiene sprays.
I hope this helps.  You do not have herpes. EWH