Looking for answers

[unsure7]

Dr., thanks in advance for your help.  Here is my history.  just over 1 year ago I had unprotected vaginal sex.  A week later I developed a bump/sore on the shaft of my penis that I popped.  White puss came out pretty easily, but two days later there appeared to be more so I popped it again.  Four days after noticing the sore I got the flu, which from what I understand is backwards in terms of Herpes symptoms.  Since that time I have also started to feel strange tingles, some itching, discomfort, and achyness in my genital and anal areas.  There are also some sharp pains in my right pelvic area, and my tailbone aches.  I never noticed any problems with my tailbone until I fell on it 2 months later, but it was never hurt just sore for a few days.  This is also when I started to get a numbing and slight burning feeling in my feet and hands.  This feeling has come and gone with no real pattern other than the fact taht it increases two days after I have a hard night out of drinking.  I also have been getting itchy sores that are just red and really only scab because of my itching.  They don't have any fluid.  These have appeared on my chest, arms, waist, hand, lower back, lower leg, and just below my belly button.  One doctor saw the belly button ones and said it looked like in-grown hairs, but felt the itching was odd.  I have had other irritation in the same spot as the sore, and one time had another sore 6 months later.  I am faily sure it was an in-grown hair as a result of shaving 5 days earlier.  No other pains.  I have tested neg. for all STD's twice, no other exposures.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The genital lesions and itching/tingling in the genital, anal, and tailbone area all could be herpes.  But I doubt any of your other symptoms are related to herpes or any other STD.  I can't say herpes might never occur near the navel, but I have never seen it.  And most doctors don't have much trouble distinguishing folliculitis or ingrown hairs from herpes, so you probably can rely on his/her diagnosis.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[unsure7]

Just wanted to continue.  Sorry for the long post.  I have had 5 Herpes Select Type 2 tests at different intervals with the last being 1 year and all have been neg.  My Type 1 was positive the first time after 6 weeks with a 15.3 number, but I have always gotten cold sores.  What are the chances of this being Type 1 Herpes?  Do you think this is STD related at all?  What should I get checked for by a doctor?  I want to get one of these bumps cultured, but asside from that could it be allergies?  Some sort of lingering bacterial infection that keeps coming back?  I also get tiny pulsing headaches periodically?  Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[unsure7]

Do you have any suggestions as to what to do and how to proceed?  Should I rely on the fact that I dont have Type 2 Herpes and try and determine if it is Type 1?  Thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Then you don't have genital herpes. Simultaneous oral and genital infection with HSV-1 probably is rare.  Also, genital infection with HSV-1 usually doesn't result in symptomatic recurrences.  I don't think any of your symptoms are due to any STD.  My best advice is to see a dermatologist.  Sorry I can't be more helpful; it just isn't possible to be certain solely by verbal description, especially (for me) outside the STD arena.

Best regards-- HHH, MD

[unsure7]

Thanks Dr., I really appreciate your help and getting back to me.