Pain, but no other symptoms

Hi Doctor,
For several days, and now just over a week after unprotected sex with a new partner I have pain near the end my penis, more specifically away from my urethral exit about half way the base of the head where the diameter is largest...  There are no lesions/spots, sores etc. in that area....  Just a sensitivity to my underwear brushing against the one side of my penis.  Almost feels like when you have small sliver in your hand and can't see it, yet can feel it.  I have no other symptoms; no discharge, pain when urinating etc. Upon *very* careful examination (with a magnifier)the most I can see is some *very* slight redness in a small area 2-3mm long along the ridge of the head), but that's ~2 cm from where it hurts....  It looks NOTHING like pics of herpes sores I've seen on the net.  No puss, scabbing, etc.... I am scared & nervous that I have contracted herpes, but without any open sores, wonder how worried I should be?  With no "open" sores can a accurate test be performed

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Hard to say.  Pain on the surface of the penis, without a visible abnormality, probably doesn't indicate an STD or any significant health problem.  And anything you have to use a magnifying glass to see probably isn't significant.  However, I cannot say for sure that nothing is there.  Tests for herpes simplex virus (HSV) itself require a visible sore for testing. Blood tests are available to look for evidence of infection, but they do not become positive until several weeks after infection.

Obviously, if a more obvious visible abnormality appears, see a health care provider; or if the pain persists for a few more days.  Your local health department STD clinic would be a good bet, or your primary care provider.  In the meantime, you should speak with your partner and make sure she doesn't have symptoms, and to learn whether she has a history of herpes.

Good luck--  HHH, MD