Welcome back to our Forum. In evaluating clinical findings and, in particular rashes, there is no substitute for examination by an experienced clinician. I would urge you to make and appointment to be seen by a clinician who is familiar with rashes and genital skin lesions for evaluation. In the meantime however I will make some comments which I hope will be helpful but are not meant to take the place of the examination I have just recommended.
The rash you describe is not suggestive of herpes infection of for that matter, other STD. The rash of herpes, even initial rashes do not last more than three weeks and as I read your description, it appears that your rash has been present longer, perhaps 5 or 6 weeks. Secondly, for your information, herpes is not transmitted by saliva contact on skin so this too makes herpes unlikely. Finally your description of the rash and its course is not suggestive of herpes or other STD either,. From at distance and without examining you, it occurs to me that the rash you describe could well be a fungal infection, unrelated to your sexual activities.
I hope this comment is helpful to you. Please let us know what your doctor thinks. EWH
Thank you for your reply Dr Hook. I intend to put an end to my activities and undergo comprehensive STD tests. My previous encounter was 1 month ago - would it be appropriate to undergo these tests now, including a hiv one? thanks again
Testing at this time will provide definitive evidence of the presence or absence of most STDs. Definitive evidence for HIV could take longer- HIV antibodies tests are definitive at 8 weeks following exposure. My own sense from what you describe however is that worry about STDs is not likely to tell you what is causing the rash and may delay you from finding out what is really causing it. EWH