Herpes, syphilis, other?

[92Tony]

Hello, I am a young 23 year-old gay man, first I want to tell you that I am already seeing a doctor, however since the doctor himself was a bit confused (or at least I thought so), I am trying to get any other opinion.

Around 10 days ago, a small chancre appeared on my glans and other ones appeared on the next days, I have to say that until 6 days before the chancre appeared I had a partner with whom I used to have sex without protection, and around 3 days after that (and 3 days before the chrancre) I received oral sex from a stranger, my bad.

Last Monday I had HIV and shyphilist fast tests, both were no reactive (however it had passed too little time), and around 3 months ago the HIV test was negative too (and so last year).

When the doctor examinated me last Thursday, I had already several chancres and he said that it didn't really seemed like syphilis, but herpes, however I have not had any pain, nor before or after the chancres appeared, no itching, no tingling, no burning, no blisters and no other flu-like symptoms (herpes causes all of those symptoms, the doctor said). My only symptom until today are the chancres in my glans and I can actually touch them without feeling any pain.

If I had to describe the chancres, they look kind of the ones that syphilis causes, but smaller and several ones instead of only one, they don't really look like the pictures of herpes I have seen. I have to say that the first days after the first one appeared I constantly washed my penis effusively, I don't know if that contributed to the appearence of the next chancres.

I am now waiting for my FTA.ABS test.

[92Tony]

Thanks for your opinion and for noticing about the terminology problem.

About the time it takes for a syphilis chancre to appear, that's why I said I had a partner, I never discarded getting infected by my former partner, however, I am well aware that herpes is the best bet now.

I said the thing about the insect because that actually happened, I was half asleep but happened so I thought I should not discard an infection caused by the insect, but maybe that's not probable, I don't know.

Thanks again.

[HowardH]

First there is an issue of terminology -- maybe translation from Spanish? In English, "chancre" means a sore due to syphilis. If it isn't syphilie, your penile lesions are not chancres.

If you have several ulcers (open sores) of the penis, herpes is the best bet. Herpes usually is painful, not not always. Syphilis chancres almost always are single, sometimes two. More than that almost certainly is not syphilis. Your FTA-ABS test almost certainly will be negative.

A syphilis chancre cannot appear only 3-6 days after exposure. It usually takes 2-4 weeks and never before 10 days. However, herpes lesions typicallly show up within 3-6 days.

If you are not seeing a specialist in STD, infectious diseases, or dermatology, I recommend that as your next step.

I don't know what to make of your comment about dreaming about an insect. That seem irrelevant to your current problem.

[92Tony]

I forgot to mention that days before the chancre appeared I woke up one night and felt as if I had an insect in my penis, I was sleeping naked and felt pain in my penis, I was half asleep so I can't say if that was real or a dream, the morning after I just wope up and everything was apparently fine.