herpes fear

[heythere1980]

Hi Doc,
Here's my long-winded herpes concern.
Three months ago, noticed a mild burning from shaft of penis (on back of penis below head). Few days later, three red raised dots appear. Kind of look like scabs. Immediately think I have herpes. There is minor burning, very little pain and no itching.
Go to walk-in clinic. Doc says it doesn't look like herpes and says it is bacterial infection. Does a swab, anyway. It comes back negative for herpes. I also see my family doc and his assistant and both say it is not herpes. The assistant, a med student, goes as far to say it is not herpes.
About eight days after spot first appears, it seems to come off in shower.
Two weeks ago, however, a raised red spot appears on exact same spot of penis and within a day, it is a scab. I am on the road travelling at this time and go to a walk-in clinic and again, he says he does not think it is herpes, despite me being convinced it is because it is in the exact same spot. I have acne on my face and take medication and he wonders if this spot comes about from me touching my face and then going to urinate. I also call my regular doctor, who says I should not worry. Four days later, spot is gone.
STD clinic I call says swab is most reliable form of testing and because it came back negative, I should not be so worried. Dermatology doc on this forum also said this does not sound like herpes.
But the problem is I, for whatever reason and despite all these doctors telling me I should not have herpes fears, can't get it out of my head that this has to be herpes or some other STD. What else could it be? Why would it re-occur in the exact same spot?
The exposure I am concerned about came with a couple of women when we engaged in mutual masturbation. There was no sex or oral sex, but we were both naked and her genitals may have come in contact with my groin or stomach area briefly. I have NEVER engaged in unprotected sex or oral sex of any kind. The incidents I described above are the ones I am concerned about.
Am I right in thinking this sounds like herpes? Is there another test I should undergo? Does this sound like another STD?
Thank you for your help,

Nervous in Toronto

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Any penile sore that leads to a scab, that recurs, and especially that recurs in more or less the same spot each time, is herpes until proved otherwise.  On the other hand, your description only of a "red spot"--without formation of a blister, pimple-like lesion, or open sore--is unlike herpes; and if your sexual history is accurate, herpes is unlikely.  And the opinion of 2 providers that it isn't herpes is pretty reassuring.  From your description, it doesn't sound like any other STD either.

So I cannot tell from your description.  There are two possible approaches to get a definite answer.  One is to await another apparent outbreak and see a knowledgeable health care provider, such as a dermatologist, within 1-2 days of onset; both the visual appearance and viral culture will be very reliable if seen promptly.  Second, have a blood test.  If you are negative for both HSV-1 and HSV-2, you can be certian it isn't herpes (3 months is plenty of time for the test to become positive).  If positive for HSV-2, it probably is herpes.  (If positive for HSV-1, it may or may not be genital HSV-1 infection.)

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[heythere1980]

One other concern doc,
During those episodes with the women, they may have touched their vagina and then touched my genital area.
That is the other thing I am concerned about

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The additional information doesn't change my opinion or advice.  Such indirect contact (genital to hand to another person's genitals) never spreads herpes or any other STD.

HHH, MD

[heythere1980]

Doc,
Thanks for your response.
The original swab was taken within one day of me first noticiing the legions, though I felt a burning for a few days before that.
And the raised red spot that appeared this most recent time, I guess it sort of looked like a pimple and then became like a scab within less than 24 hours.
The only sexual activity I have done recently is as described, rubbing against someone naked and mutual masturbation.  I know these are both low-risk activities, but everything else sounds so much like herpes. However, there was no fever, no swollen glands, intense itch or anything of that nature.
I trust my family doctor and he told me I shouldn't be worrying, but I am.

[Unhappycamper]

Yeah , well A quick question ,
I never had sex and I have bumps on my genital areah ,
There is white "stuff" (I don't know what it is ) comming out of some of them ?

So do I have herpes or something else?

[Herpesscared]

Dr. Hansfield, could you elaborate further on what you would term a "pimple like lesion", and how does that differ from a "bump"?
about three months ago I recieved protected oral from a sex worker. I have some bumps on my groin area that seems to just be bumps.
they have not developed into blisters even after I accosted them and attempted to burst them.(they would'nt burst) though afterward one did become painful to the touch for a few days also they are in a pretty hairy area, I recall
you saying herpes doesn't like hairy areas. I've had them for I think a few weeks. they seem to be going away now that I been pay attention to them.
I had a herpeselect test yesterday.
I'm really nervous
do you think it could be herpes?