Do I have herpes? Two spots below belt above pubic area.

[grateful_guy]

Hi.

I have two spots side by side about 1/4 inch apart,  below where my belt is, (low riding jeans) just above my pubic hair area in the center of my body, maybe 5 inches down from by belly button and 4 inches up from my genitals

I thought they were pimples, or maybe a spider bite.  Swollen and inflamed and sore. I tried to pop them but that didn't really work. After this they scabbed over. If I scratch off the scab they weep a little.  A few days later I had swollen lymph nodes in my left groin so I went to the doctor.  the doctor said it may be herpes. This surprised me since I have no other spots anywhere.

She said it may also be folliculitus. Since they are scabbed over and I have oral herpes, she said their is no point in doing a test.

Is this herpes?  If this is herpes, can I expect to have outbreaks with sores in other parts of my genital area later, or only in  this spot?

Any advice greatly appreciated,

Thanks.

[Fleetwood20]

What tested positive, blood, swab or both?

[grateful_guy]

So the verdict is in  HSV type 1.  Thanks for your support  
Fleetwood20.

[grateful_guy]

My ex was never tested for type.  We were together for 10+ years, but I have never had any symptoms and we have been separated for 2 years.

My sores are below my belt line, closer to my pubic area than  my belly button by about an inch below the midway mark.

I will request a type specific test when I go to get my swab results.  Since Monday the size of the ulcers has grown ( so 3 days later the sores are larger,,not crusting over at all, and are two large uclers, maybe 1/8 inch each, not lots of little ones. They are grey or yellow in the bottom and they have a dark red tinge around the edges and  oozing  pus but not scabbing over.  Very different that my experience with oral cold sores. I do have a bandage on it since its on by belt line and didn't want it being rubbed by my belt all day.  I am starting to wonder if its chancroid instead, but that's probably just wishful thinking.

[Fleetwood20]

Stack of new information here!

You say your ex wife has genital herpes? What type? HSV1 and HSV2 are independent viruses that can infect either oral,or genital locations. A blood test will tell you what types you have or not. If your ex wife had genital herpes and you were married for more than a few years the there is a moderate chance you are infected.

Herpes lesions can occur at any nerve ending stemming from the infected ganglion. For genital herpes, this area is closely matched to wearing a pair of boxer shorts. Where you describe the sores may be close to being outside that area.

The short of it is that you need a type specific blood test now and potentially have your new partner join you.

[grateful_guy]

Thanks for the response.  I have a new partner who has oral herpes, but says she does not have gential herpes.    She did not have any symptoms.

I am pretty sure I have oral herpes which I got from my ex wife's genital herpes so a blood test would not really prove anything since I cannot be sure which type I have. I supposed it would be good to know for future reference.

Can you comment on whether or not I should expect the sores to recur in other places if it is herpes?

I went back to the doctor and insisted on a swab test today and should have the results in a week.

Todd,

[Fleetwood20]

I wouldn't suggest this sounds a lot like herpes. Plenty of other things it could be, I think your doctor was just being thorough.

You can have a blood test type specific for HSV1 and HSV2. Your HSV1 will be positive owing to oral cold sores but the HSV2 would rule that dimension out.

What sexual history are we talking about in the two weeks leading into the appearance of the sores?