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Herpes or Folliculitis

Hi, recently i had sex with a woman unprotected while drunk which was 5 days ago, 4 days afterwards I noticed that there were a few 'spots' in my pubic region mostly slightly below my waistband and on the inside of my thigh (none on or near the penis or scrotum) the next day the few spots because much more and started to spread onto my thigh and more under my pubic hair, they are spreading very quickly. i did also have very vigorous sex for over 2 hours 2 days before this which may be a factor.

the spots look quite red and 'angry' at the base with white heads filled with puss if you pop one, approximately 1mm to 1.5mm in size, they are both clustered together in 2's and a cm or so apart and quite sore when pressed on. not really any itchiness or pains/burns while urinating, pretty much all the spots have hair follicles through the centre of them although i am quite hairy im sure if it was herpes it wouldn't just be flaring up in hairs?

When i visited my doctor and said i was worried that the spots may be herpes he diagnosed it as Folliculitis and gave me clarithromycin and I left. Later that day my doctor rang me back and told me that it could be herpes and i should go to a sexual health clinic which i did straight away and had a second doctor look at it who said it looked like herpes but she was not sure and took a swab to be sent off.

both the doctors i visited couldnt decide between herpes and folliculitis so i was hoping someone could shed some light on this problem i can provide pictures of the area if required and i hope someone can please help me out as i am so worried right now!

thanks,
Ryalth3
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101028 tn?1419603004
odds are this isn't herpes going on from your description of how widespread it is. wait for your lesion culture results and if they are negative and you still need peace of mind, follow up with a type specific herpes igg blood test in a few months.  Lesion cultures are actually back within 3 or 4 days, the delay comes in the clinic and they way they inform patients of results. Don't hesitate to call about them monday to see if they are back or not.  

the antibiotic you were given really wasn't the best choice for treating folliculitis.  If your rash isn't better by monday, call your provider and let them know so they can change it to something more effective.  

grace
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Avatar universal

hi thanks for the reply, the second doctor took a swab test however only tested one of the 'spots' so hopefully it will be enough for a diagnosis, apparently it will take up to 2 weeks to receive the results so it feels like my life is on hold until then!

some of the spots have popped now probably from rubbing against my boxers and are just red lumps which are no longer really sore, no crusting over or anything

thanks,
Ryalth3
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It's probably Folliculitis. A primary outbreak of Herpes would be where you would have directly contracted it, which in your case would be the penis, not to mention the fact that these bumps are only appearing on your hair follicles. I'm surprised neither of the doctors did a swab test.
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