bumps on erect head

[jdextr]

I'm pretty sure I had sex with a woman after drinking one night (very limited memory of the night, due to the alcohol).  I don't remember if it was protected the entire time.  The condom, if used, was expired and had spermicide on it.  I saw a clinic who prescribed zithromax, although my chlamydia/gono test came back negative.  A couple days later I noticed that I had red bumps on my the head of my penis, only when it is erect.  Nothing is noticeable when it is flacid.  I saw a urologist and showed him pictures of the erect penis, but he did no testing.  He said he didn't think I was contagious and thinks its a reaction to the zithromax, and that it would probably clear up in a few months.  Does this sound right?  Should I see a dermatologist, or get a second opinion, or should I just stop worrying?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  Sometimes after an exposure that, in retrospect, one wishes they had not had, persons tend to examine themselves and be far more aware of their anatomy and attuned to genital sensations than in periods when they are not concerned.  This in turn leads to mistaking normal anatomical variation for signs of disease and noticing what turn out to be normal sensations that might have been not noticed or ignored at other times.  In your case, if you cannot see an abnormality when your penis is flaccid, it is unlikely that there is any STD present.  Remember, when the penis gets erect it fills with blood and that blood can change the appearance of the penis.  Alternatively, it is quite possible that your azithromycin may have caused a drug eruption. Either way, the combination of your description, the situation you describe and the fact that you have been examined by a trained health care provide make it very, very unlikely that what you are observing is an STD.  you may just be looking at yourself in ways that  you have not done before.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

STDs do not cause diarrhea unless you have engaged on anal or oral sex.  If you took part in cunninlingus the odds are still quite low.  

I would not know what you be tested for.  Direct examination is the proper way to approach a problem of this sort to guide further evaluation. you had that and a trained health care provider saw nothing problematic.  I urge you not to worry.  EWH

[jdextr]

Thank you, Dr. Hook.  If I can follow up with secondary question... Are there any tests I can have done to make sure there's nothing there (I'm guessing no)?  Lastly, are you aware of any std's that may cause diarrhea after the first couple days of exposure?  Thank you, again.