Worried i may have Herpes

I'm worried i may have herpes.  A lot of times when i have sex I get 1 or 2 scattered bumps arond my penis that look like zits.  I've understood that this usually isn't a big deal.  I've also been diagnosed with sebaceous cysts.  They seem to stick around for months on end, but do eventually go away.

My main problem is something that happened about 2 and half almost 3 years ago.  I had unprotected sex with a girlfriend and the next day or so i got about 25 small pimple like things on my penis.  While my girlfreind complained of her vagina being sore.  We used dildos and she said it sometimes bothers her vagina.  Well she went to the ER and the doctor looked at it and said it was herpes and prescribed her valtrex without even taking a test to see if it was herpes for sure.  But she went to a doctor the next day or so and took a test, which she said came back as a urinary tract infection.  Now i wasn't there so i'm not sure if i can trust her, and just isn't telling me because she's either in denial or you know, whatever.

Well my spots were never clustered and weren't ever painful.  They went away in a few days.  Some just disappeared while others looked almost like red dots almost like scabs, but never turned into a crater.  I've also never had any flu like symptoms  or anything of that nature.

My question is could i have some sort of herpes either HSV 1 or HSV 2?  Is it likely that even if i have herpes i can transmit it even without symptoms.  Like am i less likely to shed asymptomatically then someone who has noticable outbreaks?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

First, sex does not trigger herpes outbreaks.  Never.  Second, herpes does not 'stick around for months on end'.  And the description in the second half of you rmessage doesn't sound much like herpes.  You could have it, because 25% of the population does; but if so, it probably isn't the cause of any of the symptoms you describe.  I cannot say what the bumps are, but bumps that look like pimples indeed sound like sebaceous cysts.

As for your GF, the messages are mixed.  My bet is she doesn't have herpes either, but it's impossible to know from the information you provide.

As to your closing questions, anybody with herpes can shed virus asymptomatically and transmit it when there is no obvious outbreak.

You and your partner both should find a herpes-knoweldgeable health care provider and have blood tests for HSV-1 and HSV-2.  Then you will know for sure whether either or both of you is infected.  Without that, I really cannot help further.

Good luck--- HHH, MD

[insearchofanswers123]

i plan on going to a clinic that uses the herpes select test.  i tried to type more but there is of course a limit.  i apologize.  so my problem 2-3 years ago, with those pimple like things and how they went away.  that doesn't sound like herpes? 25 scaterred zit type things.  even though some almost looked like a scab.

i'm going to call and set up a test tomorrow.

thanks again

[dkrh]

I have had herpes for about 6 years now.  Symptoms get fewer the longer you have it.  I just want to say that the pictures that are on the internet about herpes... are severe cases.  My outbreaks have never looked like that.  When I get an outbreak...and I usually overt them becuase of medication, they are usually two or three small little blisters.  The only way I can describe it is that it looks like poison ivy and not a pimple.  The blister breaks...i usually do it with a tissue, just to start the healing process.  It will form a small scab, after that...the area where it was, will turn a little red...almost like a scar, that disapears in about 4-5 days.  I've been in one relationship for over two years and I never infected my partner.  You know when you are going to get an outbreak.  My symptoms are: my left leg gets this striking pain down my hamstring for about a day or two.  I am sure it's different for everybody.  It's herpes way of saying, "we're coming."  That's when I know to take my meds.  As far as the asymptomatic sheding and spreading it to others....  I think it's a bunch of ****.  It's pharmaceutical companies' attempt to scare you to buy their medication so that you feel you have to take it every day of your life.  Doctors can say one thing...but unless you have it...THEY DON'T ALWAYS KNOW.  The only reason why there isn't a cure to this annoying virus, is becuase it is shadowed by HIV.   It's 2007, you mean to tell me that they can't find a cure for this?  Pathetic.  

[spazzz444]

That didn't help relieve my worries! Had same symptoms years ago, but never returned.However, lately I have had an irritation (not really considered pain) inside my penis on the bottom side close to the head. My orgasims are now dulled, and it gets irritated during sex or erect any longer than short periods of time? Seems to be here to stay on a daily basis. Once agian not in pain, feels like something got torn or is just irritated.
Sound like anything you can relate to?

[insearchofanswers123]

I can't say what that is.  Doesn't sound like anything i've experienced.  I had one occurence and should have went to the doc then, but it went away soon and it never came back.