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STDs (Expert Forum)
Possible herpes infection?
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
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Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
Possible herpes infection?
by thatguy121, May 12, 2008 01:13PM
Hello,
About 9 weeks ago I had sex with a friend of mine several times in one night (2 times protected and 1 time unprotected). A few days after I noticed an abrasion on my penis which did not hurt but I freaked out so I had myself tested for herpes 15 days, 6 weeks, and now 8 weeks after with all tests showing a negative (<.91) for both herpes I and II. The day I got my 8 week test results back, I had protected sex with the same girl. Within 24 hours, I noticed an abrasion on my penis again but this time it hurt and there is clear fluid coming from it. The abrasion looks like the skin is missing (like the condom may have rubbed against it and irritated it). It has been several days and it still hurts if I touch it and it still has the clear fluid. Now my questions are:
1. Do you believe this to be a possible herpes infection or do you think that this may just be an irritation from the condom?
2. Should I get retested for herpes again even though I tested negative (IGG from privatemdlabs) after 8 weeks?
3. Can this clear fluid be a sign of another infection or just part of the healing process of the abrasion?
Thanks
About 9 weeks ago I had sex with a friend of mine several times in one night (2 times protected and 1 time unprotected). A few days after I noticed an abrasion on my penis which did not hurt but I freaked out so I had myself tested for herpes 15 days, 6 weeks, and now 8 weeks after with all tests showing a negative (<.91) for both herpes I and II. The day I got my 8 week test results back, I had protected sex with the same girl. Within 24 hours, I noticed an abrasion on my penis again but this time it hurt and there is clear fluid coming from it. The abrasion looks like the skin is missing (like the condom may have rubbed against it and irritated it). It has been several days and it still hurts if I touch it and it still has the clear fluid. Now my questions are:
1. Do you believe this to be a possible herpes infection or do you think that this may just be an irritation from the condom?
2. Should I get retested for herpes again even though I tested negative (IGG from privatemdlabs) after 8 weeks?
3. Can this clear fluid be a sign of another infection or just part of the healing process of the abrasion?
Thanks
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., May 12, 2008 01:52PM
, May 12, 2008 01:52PM
Herpes outbreaks are not triggered by sex, and most herpes outbreaks don't show up as lesions that would be confused with abrasions. It can happen, and it's possible the timing was coincidental. However, combining the atypical symptoms plus the negative blood test 2 months after the possible first exposure, the evidence is nearly 100% solid against herpes as the cause of your symptoms. To the specific questions:
1) Almost certainly not herpes. I cannot comment on other causes; condoms don't usually rub people raw.
2) I see no reason for repeat HSV testing in this circumstance. However, if you want to make the non-diagnosis of herpes even more rock solid than it is, you could be tested once more 3-4 months after the initial onset.
3) Any skin injury, no matter what the cause (infection, trauma, burn, etc) can exude clear fluid. That symptom doesn't give a clue about herpes or any other specific cause.
Finally, for still more security about herpes, if the "abrasion" problem appears again in the future, see a health care provider ASAP (within 1-2 days), while the lesion is fresh. That's the best way for a clear diagnosis, either by visual inspection or by testing for HSV, if the provider thinks herpes is possible based on its appearance. But in the meantime, I really wouldn't worry about herpes. It doesn't sound likely at all.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
1) Almost certainly not herpes. I cannot comment on other causes; condoms don't usually rub people raw.
2) I see no reason for repeat HSV testing in this circumstance. However, if you want to make the non-diagnosis of herpes even more rock solid than it is, you could be tested once more 3-4 months after the initial onset.
3) Any skin injury, no matter what the cause (infection, trauma, burn, etc) can exude clear fluid. That symptom doesn't give a clue about herpes or any other specific cause.
Finally, for still more security about herpes, if the "abrasion" problem appears again in the future, see a health care provider ASAP (within 1-2 days), while the lesion is fresh. That's the best way for a clear diagnosis, either by visual inspection or by testing for HSV, if the provider thinks herpes is possible based on its appearance. But in the meantime, I really wouldn't worry about herpes. It doesn't sound likely at all.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
