herpes or folliculitis

[scared_123]

about 3 weeks ago i started having unprotected sex with my current partner (female) and about 2 days ago i discovered a red bump on the base of my penis about half way up with a hair follicle inside of it. i have had similar bumps before but this one is slightly more painful. some of the sex was a little rough so i was thinking it might of infected one of my hair follicles. its a small red bump thats painful to the touch with a small amount of fluid inside. it doesnt itch or tingle. im not having trouble urinating and i dont have a fever or headaches. no swollen lymph glands. however i did experience a sharp pain in my right leg the same day i noticed the bumps so much that i could barely walk. almost like i pulled a muscle. I have been going to the gym recently and working leg muscles i dont usually work out so i figured that might possibly be the cause but then i read that leg pain can also coincide with genital herpes. is this possible? im am extremely worried that i have genital herpes. I went to the doctor and got the area swabbed and im awaiting my tests results but my question is based on my exposure and my description of symptoms is it possible for me to have genital herpes? or does this sound more like folliculitis? if so is folliculitis typically painful to the touch? what other symptoms should i be looking for? i have put my life on hold until i know for certain. i am freaking out.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

This sounds much more like folliculitis, both because of the location (most genital herpes lesions in men are on the shaft or head of the penis) and because herpes lesions never have a hair protruding but folliculitis often does.  The leg pains don't sugges herpes either.  Folliculitis is just like any skin infection, like a pimple; some lesions are painful, some aren't.

My bet is your doctor told you this probably isn't herpes.  That certainly is my view.  Follow up with your doc if in doubt.

Good luck-- HHH, MD

[scared_123]

when i said the base i meant the shaft sorry. but the bump is near other hair follicles and pubic hair. and there is hair sticking out of it. which leads me to believe its folliculitis. however the pain never been this severe with a hair follicle which scares me into thinking its herpes. the doctor i saw said it didnt look like herpes but i wanted to swab it to be sure. he also said the swab test wasn't always accurate the first or even the 2nd time around. is that true? now i know i already asked but is there any symptoms i should look for that would confirm herpes such as spreading of redness, scabbing, multiple bumps spreading in that area, itching, pain, swelling, etc? and if it is folliculitis what would you recommend for treatment/taking away some of the pain? how long does something like this typically take to go away? i know you probably cant be super specific for liability reasons. i understand if you cannot answer certain questions. thanks your for your time it is greatly appreciated.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The additional information reinforces my opinion you have folliculitis, not herpes, especially since that was your doc's diagnosis.  Herpes and folliculits are not hard to tell apart and your doc surely is right.  He is the one to ask about treatment, pain relief, etc.