need your input

here is the deal...i have been having symptoms now for almost 4 weeks...and from what i have heard no std will have symptoms that presist for that length of time is this correct...my symptoms are on the head of my penis to me it looks slightly red...i have this on and off pinching sensation and this has been going on for nearly four weeks now...i have had every std test done about a week after my encounter and everything came back negative...my doc sayst it is a combination of stress depression worry and the constant feeding of my mind over this...he says that if i have been having symptoms for three weeks and no outbreak that it cant be herpes...said that i would have had an outbreak by now if indeed it was herpes...is this possible that stress and constant worry over this has just made me think i am having symptoms of herpes...is it possible that the stress is causing the slight redness...im at wits end with this...nearly four weeks...hasnt gotten worse at all...but not better either....my doc said it didnt even look red to him...but it was freezing in his office and thats why i think the red went away...does this even sound like an std to you...mainly herpes???...i need my mind set at ease if this is not herpes and does not even sound like it to you what else could it be...could it really be stress...i have no blisters no sores no flue like symptoms nothing at all...

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Initial reply after reading only the first 2 lines of your question:  You are right that herpes does not behave this way; your symptoms don't sound like herpes and the persistence for 4 weeks also means that whatever you have is not herpes.

Now having read the rest of it, my next comment is that no online expert can compete with the opinion of a provider who has examined someone.  You should rely on your own provider's diagnosis and advice.  From all you say, I agree with him (or her).  I don't know the cause of what you have, but clearly it isn't herpes.  And since your doc says it looks normal, it is normal; you probably are examining yourself too closely and seeing minor, normal variations in skin appearance.  Certainly no disease to worry about.  And I'll say it again:  definitely not herpes.

Good luck-- HHH, MD

[cameron34]

Thank you doc...everyone keeps telling me that it is pretty much impossible that i have herpes...the fact that the girl went to get checked as well and her doc said she has no signs of anything inside or out..she is also ten weeks preg. and that this has been going on for nearly four weeks...everyone says that its nearly 0% chance that its herpes...not for four weeks...i have just been extreamly stressed about this all doing tones of research and depressed and somewhat guilty about it all...my doc says that its all in my head and have caused my symptoms because i am to stressed about it all...and now with you telling me definetly not herpes i am begining to lean toward the stress being the cause of all this...the fact that it has not gotten better or worse...kinda proves that its not herpes as well...four weeks no gettin worse just is not the way that virus works from what i understand...and the fact that the doc said it didnt look red..and i think its because it was so cold...have been told that the virus wouldnt change colors due to temp change...if it was red from infection of herpes it would be red in 0 degree weather...thank again doc

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The additional information doesn't change my opinion or advice.

[cameron34]

I have been told max incubation period of the herpes once you notice your first symptom is 12 days at max...is this correct...honestly i cant remember how long all my symptoms have been present for sure but it was four weeks ago when i had my encounter...so if i remember right this has been going on no less then 2 weeks...longer i believe but the hole time fram from encounter to now is 4 weeks...so if it is true about the 12  max incubation period then i should still be fine and it is probably just an infection of some other sort

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Irrelevant, since you don't have herpes.  But it is true that most herpes symptoms have onset within 10-12 days, usually 3-5 days.  But a few probably take up to 3 weeks.

Bring any additional questions to your doctor.  This is my last comment on this thread.

[cameron34]

Ok doc, one more question and i will leave it alone for good...how likely is it for me to have spread it to my mouth without having an outbreak...i know you say i dont have it and so does everyone else but today i had about 5 real little white dots on my lip...is this simply fordyce's or is it possible to spread it to my mouth without having an outbreak???...unlikely wouldnt you say...im sorry  i know you said take additional questions to my family doctor but they are gone on vacation for two weeks...i live in a very small town and dont have anywhere else to turn to...hope you give me this one last answer and i will leave it be...sorry