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When is it reasonable to sound the all clear?
Good day, I am a 28 y/o male who is sexually active for the first time in 2.5 years. I have one partner and we're committed to each other. She has had STD tests that are clean and I recently was tested negative for HSV-1 and 2 with a LabCorp type-specific IgG test. Since we've both been tested and are committed to one another, we do not always use condoms, but we've also only been sexually active for a month.
A week after the test (one week ago), I noticed a red bump on the side of shaft about a quarter of an inch big. Upon closer inspection it looked like an angry hair folical but giving the situation, I didn't mess around and ended up at the county health department. A doctor there looked at it and was going to do an on site test of the spot but after I informed her I just had a blood test, she said that it likely wasn't herpes given that the blood test was more sensitive. I applied warm compresses and neosporin and it essentially reacted as most pimples do and has shrunk in size. There is still a bit of a pink mark and a tiny bump less (less than 1/16") but it looks much better than it did. It never became a blister or ulcer. Today I noticed a tiny red spot on my glans near where I am circumsized. I'm not sure if maybe that is an injury from applying neosporin on the side of my shaft (and thus slightly twisting) or perhaps something else. I've scheduled an appointment with a Dermotologist but that's 2.5 weeks away. Perhaps I should have used some other lotion but I guess I can ask the Dermotology forum.
Also, when would be a reasonable time to resume normal relationship activity? I think that it is reasonable to assume that I'm ok, and it might be possible to resume sexual activity although with condoms of course to prevent further irritation. The sex isn't actually a big deal to me at all, but the relationship with this woman is extremely important to me. Naturally this situation is a bit awkward so I'd like it to be resolved rather quickly. Thank you!
A week after the test (one week ago), I noticed a red bump on the side of shaft about a quarter of an inch big. Upon closer inspection it looked like an angry hair folical but giving the situation, I didn't mess around and ended up at the county health department. A doctor there looked at it and was going to do an on site test of the spot but after I informed her I just had a blood test, she said that it likely wasn't herpes given that the blood test was more sensitive. I applied warm compresses and neosporin and it essentially reacted as most pimples do and has shrunk in size. There is still a bit of a pink mark and a tiny bump less (less than 1/16") but it looks much better than it did. It never became a blister or ulcer. Today I noticed a tiny red spot on my glans near where I am circumsized. I'm not sure if maybe that is an injury from applying neosporin on the side of my shaft (and thus slightly twisting) or perhaps something else. I've scheduled an appointment with a Dermotologist but that's 2.5 weeks away. Perhaps I should have used some other lotion but I guess I can ask the Dermotology forum.
Also, when would be a reasonable time to resume normal relationship activity? I think that it is reasonable to assume that I'm ok, and it might be possible to resume sexual activity although with condoms of course to prevent further irritation. The sex isn't actually a big deal to me at all, but the relationship with this woman is extremely important to me. Naturally this situation is a bit awkward so I'd like it to be resolved rather quickly. Thank you!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. I'll try to help.
I think the problem here is that you are overly focused on your symptoms, without giving adequate credit to the science of STD diagnosis -- i.e. your lab tests. Symptoms (and even examination by physicians) are inhernetly much less accurate as evidence for or against STDs than the lab tests are. Even the most world-respected herpes experts acknowledge that their clinical predictions that patients have herpes (or don't have it) are wrong up to half the time.
In this case, your and your partner's negative tests for HSV make it virtually impossible that your genital lesions were due to genital herpes -- assuming neither you nor your partner has recently had sex with other people. Your symptoms don't really sound typical for herpes anyway -- as you say yourself, the initial lesion looked like an infected hair follicle -- but even if they were highly typical for herpes, I would rely much more on the blood test results.
So whatever is going on, it isn't herpes. If that's your main concern, I suggest not spending the time, money, and emotional energy on seeing the dermatologist. Consider canceling that appointment. At a minimum, disregard herpes and be prepared for the dermatologist to say the same thing.
As for resuming "normal relationship activity" with your partner, of course it is safe and appropriate to do so, on two separate rationales: First, for the reasons discussed, it is obvious this isn't herpes. Second, if despite all rational analysis this in fact is herpes after all, then you obviously caught it from your current partner and therefore cannot infect her and cannot catch it again from her. Everybody with HSV is immune to catching the same strain again, and couples do not "ping-pong" their infections back and forth.
So, assuming there isn't any missing information (e.g., other sex partners you haven't mentioned), I suggest you put herpes out of your mind; and continue normal sexual relations with your partner.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
I think the problem here is that you are overly focused on your symptoms, without giving adequate credit to the science of STD diagnosis -- i.e. your lab tests. Symptoms (and even examination by physicians) are inhernetly much less accurate as evidence for or against STDs than the lab tests are. Even the most world-respected herpes experts acknowledge that their clinical predictions that patients have herpes (or don't have it) are wrong up to half the time.
In this case, your and your partner's negative tests for HSV make it virtually impossible that your genital lesions were due to genital herpes -- assuming neither you nor your partner has recently had sex with other people. Your symptoms don't really sound typical for herpes anyway -- as you say yourself, the initial lesion looked like an infected hair follicle -- but even if they were highly typical for herpes, I would rely much more on the blood test results.
So whatever is going on, it isn't herpes. If that's your main concern, I suggest not spending the time, money, and emotional energy on seeing the dermatologist. Consider canceling that appointment. At a minimum, disregard herpes and be prepared for the dermatologist to say the same thing.
As for resuming "normal relationship activity" with your partner, of course it is safe and appropriate to do so, on two separate rationales: First, for the reasons discussed, it is obvious this isn't herpes. Second, if despite all rational analysis this in fact is herpes after all, then you obviously caught it from your current partner and therefore cannot infect her and cannot catch it again from her. Everybody with HSV is immune to catching the same strain again, and couples do not "ping-pong" their infections back and forth.
So, assuming there isn't any missing information (e.g., other sex partners you haven't mentioned), I suggest you put herpes out of your mind; and continue normal sexual relations with your partner.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Thank you Doctor.
No, to my knowledge there isn't any missing information. She's my first partner in the 2.5 years and she has been tested recently and not had any other partners recently. It did occur to me that if this was a HSV infection from her, then there wouldn't be a risk of me reinfecting her.
I think I'm going to suggest that we resume relationship activity but protected. If this isn't HSV, I'm guessing it's either a skin irritation or infection. I'm guessing an infection might "ping-pong" back and forth and an irritation might be made worse. That's probably not her preference but I think its reasonable to ease back into things.
I noticed today one other (what I think is) a sebacious gland irriated as a little red spot. I think I'll ask about it in the Dermotology forum. I'll keep the Dermotologist appt as there are also some non-related skin spots I'd like checked out.
One final question if possible - I understand it takes 3 weeks for a HSV test to show up positive after symptoms/exposure. So in 3 weeks I could have another test and close the book on this if there was still concern? I don't think there will be, but sometimes I think 10 minutes and a vial of blood are worth the peace of mind.
Again thank you very much for your time for myself and others in this forum. I wanted to put that in the orginal post but hit the 2000 character limit.
No, to my knowledge there isn't any missing information. She's my first partner in the 2.5 years and she has been tested recently and not had any other partners recently. It did occur to me that if this was a HSV infection from her, then there wouldn't be a risk of me reinfecting her.
I think I'm going to suggest that we resume relationship activity but protected. If this isn't HSV, I'm guessing it's either a skin irritation or infection. I'm guessing an infection might "ping-pong" back and forth and an irritation might be made worse. That's probably not her preference but I think its reasonable to ease back into things.
I noticed today one other (what I think is) a sebacious gland irriated as a little red spot. I think I'll ask about it in the Dermotology forum. I'll keep the Dermotologist appt as there are also some non-related skin spots I'd like checked out.
One final question if possible - I understand it takes 3 weeks for a HSV test to show up positive after symptoms/exposure. So in 3 weeks I could have another test and close the book on this if there was still concern? I don't think there will be, but sometimes I think 10 minutes and a vial of blood are worth the peace of mind.
Again thank you very much for your time for myself and others in this forum. I wanted to put that in the orginal post but hit the 2000 character limit.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I doubt this is anything that can be transmitted back and forth sexually ("ping-pong"). But up to you if you want to use condoms for a while to see if it makes a difference.
You seem laser-beam focused on herpes, simply because it's a genital skin problem, despite reassurance from your own doctor, the test results, and my opinion. Most of the hundreds of conditions that can cause rash anywhere on the body can involve the genitals. Not only have you not been exposed, but your description of the penile skin condition doesn't sound at all like herpes. I do not recommend additional testing.
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You seem laser-beam focused on herpes, simply because it's a genital skin problem, despite reassurance from your own doctor, the test results, and my opinion. Most of the hundreds of conditions that can cause rash anywhere on the body can involve the genitals. Not only have you not been exposed, but your description of the penile skin condition doesn't sound at all like herpes. I do not recommend additional testing.
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You're right. Sorry about that. I am being a bit silly about it; just shaken slightly I guess.
I'll go back to business as usual. Thank you again!
I'll go back to business as usual. Thank you again!
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.
