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Herpes Risk concern
Hello Ms. Warden,
I originally made a posting in the STD section and received Dr. Hook's insight; however, I'd also like to hear your input as well since you are a herpes specialist. On September 21st, I had protected intercourse with a commercial sex worker. The sex lasted for probably 10 minutes or so. While I was getting dressed to leave, she mentioned that she felt burning down there. About 9-10 days later, I began to develop little white dots on the base of my penis and in the pubic areas as well. There was also a pimple on the upper area of my left thigh (in the crease where it connects to the pelvis). I went to my PCP and she thought it was folliculitis. She also had a dermatologist look at all the lesions and she said that the dots on my penis are not fluid filled, so they must be genital warts. She concurred with my PCP that the lesion on my left thigh is also caused my folliculitis because I showed signs of previous scars on my leg from previous bouts of folliculitis. She also said she is confident in her visual diagnosis because I also mentioned that I do not feel any pain or itching from it. On 10/5, I began to feel intense itching on my left buttocks. When I looked in there mirror, I saw red pimples in different areas of the left buttock. They did not hurt. Some are right below the waistline. They are about a half an inch away from each other there. One isolated pimple is on the middle of the buttock and a couple pimples between the buttocks. I went back to my PCP and she said that they look like bug bites. She also says that they aren't shingles because they are so widely spread apart and that shingles would be located in patches where the nerves are. She took a culture of the lesion and says that she highly doubts that it's herpes because they do not hurt and because they are not localized clusters. I guess I'll find out for sure in a couple days but the anxiety is killing me. I appreciate your input. Thank you.
I originally made a posting in the STD section and received Dr. Hook's insight; however, I'd also like to hear your input as well since you are a herpes specialist. On September 21st, I had protected intercourse with a commercial sex worker. The sex lasted for probably 10 minutes or so. While I was getting dressed to leave, she mentioned that she felt burning down there. About 9-10 days later, I began to develop little white dots on the base of my penis and in the pubic areas as well. There was also a pimple on the upper area of my left thigh (in the crease where it connects to the pelvis). I went to my PCP and she thought it was folliculitis. She also had a dermatologist look at all the lesions and she said that the dots on my penis are not fluid filled, so they must be genital warts. She concurred with my PCP that the lesion on my left thigh is also caused my folliculitis because I showed signs of previous scars on my leg from previous bouts of folliculitis. She also said she is confident in her visual diagnosis because I also mentioned that I do not feel any pain or itching from it. On 10/5, I began to feel intense itching on my left buttocks. When I looked in there mirror, I saw red pimples in different areas of the left buttock. They did not hurt. Some are right below the waistline. They are about a half an inch away from each other there. One isolated pimple is on the middle of the buttock and a couple pimples between the buttocks. I went back to my PCP and she said that they look like bug bites. She also says that they aren't shingles because they are so widely spread apart and that shingles would be located in patches where the nerves are. She took a culture of the lesion and says that she highly doubts that it's herpes because they do not hurt and because they are not localized clusters. I guess I'll find out for sure in a couple days but the anxiety is killing me. I appreciate your input. Thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It is possible this is herpes, just can't say for certain without a swab test.
Terri
Terri
Hi Nurse Warren,
Thank you for your advice and insight. I have made an appointment to see my dermatologist later this week for evaluation. I have one last question that lingers that I'm hoping you can answer for me. It's regarding the new lesion on the tip of my penis. It started out as a red patch that became one small red bump. I wanted to see if it contained any fluid and was unable to see it. A couple days later, it looks like it opened up. The opening is probably 1mm in size, but I can't really determine if it opened up on its own or because I've been probing it too much. Anyways, I really respect your opinion as a herpes expert and wanted to see why you thought that this new lesion does not sound like herpes. Thank you.
Thank you for your advice and insight. I have made an appointment to see my dermatologist later this week for evaluation. I have one last question that lingers that I'm hoping you can answer for me. It's regarding the new lesion on the tip of my penis. It started out as a red patch that became one small red bump. I wanted to see if it contained any fluid and was unable to see it. A couple days later, it looks like it opened up. The opening is probably 1mm in size, but I can't really determine if it opened up on its own or because I've been probing it too much. Anyways, I really respect your opinion as a herpes expert and wanted to see why you thought that this new lesion does not sound like herpes. Thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The progress of your bumps does not sound like herpes to me. I would ask your health care provider about a possible diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum. Have a look on the internet and see if this looks familiar.
I'm sorry, but I honestly can't help anymore with your problem - this is something that needs to be dealt with in person.
Terri
I'm sorry, but I honestly can't help anymore with your problem - this is something that needs to be dealt with in person.
Terri
I wanted to provide an update for my status and hear of your input. I had a culture of the lesions on my buttock and it came out negative for herpes and shingles. My PCP prescribed some clindamycine phosphate gel. I began to apply it liberally around the buttocks and pubic area, but the condition did not improve. My dermatologist then prescribed doxycycline at 100mg 2x/day. I'm on my 7th day, and although some lesions in the pubic area have subsided, others have now feel like small lumps under the skin. Last week, I noticed 2 more lesions on the shaft of my penis -- these lesions are about 1mm wide and have a black dot in the center. Two days ago, I noticed a small red patch on the head of my penis that now formed a small, red bump about 1 - 2 mm wide. These lesions are not itchy and not painful.
Since the lesions on my buttocks were determined to be negative for HSV via culture, I'm now wondering if the lesions on my penis and pubic area could be something completely different? Do the new lesions on my shaft and "dome" sound like herpes? It's now about 20-22 days since I've noticed the initial lesions in my pubic region. If these were herpes, would they at least start healing and scabbing over by now instead of still being red and some being just hard bumps under the skin? Thank you. I convinced my PCP to put in paperwork for an IGG test, but at 4 weeks post exposure, it's probably not much use for me, yet.
Since the lesions on my buttocks were determined to be negative for HSV via culture, I'm now wondering if the lesions on my penis and pubic area could be something completely different? Do the new lesions on my shaft and "dome" sound like herpes? It's now about 20-22 days since I've noticed the initial lesions in my pubic region. If these were herpes, would they at least start healing and scabbing over by now instead of still being red and some being just hard bumps under the skin? Thank you. I convinced my PCP to put in paperwork for an IGG test, but at 4 weeks post exposure, it's probably not much use for me, yet.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It is because of all of the above.
Terri
Terri
Thank you for your response, Nurse Warren. My GP prescribed some cream for the folliculitis and most of the spots in the pubic area are gone - even some of the "warts" on the shaft of my penis. The pimple or blister on my upper thigh is still there, although I don't see any scabs over it. My left buttock is still very itchy, though, especially when I'm taking a shower. I've been scratching it and making it worse. I've tried to scratch around the lesions, often making much of the buttocks red, which goes away after a while; however, yesterday, after I scratched around one of the lesions, I noticed a red scratch mark that looks like it is composed of small white bumps - it could be skin irritation for scratching so much. I haven't received the results of my culture, yet, but have been stressing out because any search online regarding pimples/blister on buttocks usually results in herpes. Can you please provide me with what characteristics you see from my posts which make it not sound like herpes? Is it the spacing of the pimples/blisters on the buttocks? The time these pimples/blisters appeared? Location of the lesions? or is it because I've already had a case of folliculitis?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
None of this sounds anything like herpes to me, honestly.
If you looked at the buttocks of everyone in your neighborhood, for example, I think most would have some red spots on them.
When you have sex with someone, you can also pick up bacterial infections in addition to possibly picking up viral infections (like herpes). Sometimes we forget that skin bacteria can be transmitted as well. Generally, that is not a big deal at all. There are a few exceptions. But in your case, your folliculitis might be just that - a mild transfer of bacteria from one person to another.
White dots? Are they gone? Was the skin broken? I'm having a hard time imagining this.
Terri
If you looked at the buttocks of everyone in your neighborhood, for example, I think most would have some red spots on them.
When you have sex with someone, you can also pick up bacterial infections in addition to possibly picking up viral infections (like herpes). Sometimes we forget that skin bacteria can be transmitted as well. Generally, that is not a big deal at all. There are a few exceptions. But in your case, your folliculitis might be just that - a mild transfer of bacteria from one person to another.
White dots? Are they gone? Was the skin broken? I'm having a hard time imagining this.
Terri
Ms. Warren,
I apologize for incorrectly typing your last name in the last post. I tried to edit it afterwards, but it's locked.
I apologize for incorrectly typing your last name in the last post. I tried to edit it afterwards, but it's locked.
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
