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Worried about genital herpes....
On 4th January I felt a sharp pain on the front of my upper left leg, about 3 inches from my genitals - amongst the hair on my leg but not within the pubic area. It felt like a cyst or pimple about to emerge from under my skin. I squeezed it thinking it was a pimple but did not notice any fluid or pus. I noticed no evidence of blister. The next morning there was a small flat area of raw pink skin (about 1 - 2mm diameter) dry around the edges. I put a small circular elastoplast (about 15 - 20 diameter) over it and left it there for 2 days. When I removed it, what appear to be a flaky red sore had grown to the area of the plaster - but no further. This sore, which stung and itched a bit, took about 2 weeks to clear up. Prior to this happening, I felt some lower back pain for about a week. I was in a heterosexual relationship over 2 years ago and that is the last time I had unprotected sex (I am a man). I am 41, suffer from ocassional eczema, but have never had anything like this happen before. Does this sound like herpes? Please advise. Many thanks.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. I'll be pleased to comment. I see no reason for you to be worried that this might be herpes. The lesion you describe is not suggestive, the timing without recent exposures is wrong, the location is wrong (most GH in men is on the distal portion of the penis), and the way the lesion has evolved does not sound like HSV either.
I suspect that what happened is that infection, either from a pimple that was forming or that was introduced when you squeezed it, has become the source of infection which then spread because of the occlusion from the Elastoplast. If the area of irritation is spreading or persists, it may need antibiotics but I would not worry about HSV and see no reason from what you've said to consider testing. EWH
I suspect that what happened is that infection, either from a pimple that was forming or that was introduced when you squeezed it, has become the source of infection which then spread because of the occlusion from the Elastoplast. If the area of irritation is spreading or persists, it may need antibiotics but I would not worry about HSV and see no reason from what you've said to consider testing. EWH
Many thanks for your prompt response to my comment. One additional detail....the unprotected sex I mentioned was vaginal. I have had unprotected receptive oral sex in the interim period as recent as 1 month ago. Does this change your opinion? Do I need to get tested?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No, your receipt of unprotected oral sex does not change my opinion. I recommend against getting tested- in your situation, without a high risk recent exposure and with your symptoms, your risk for having a falsely positive test result is higher than your risk of having HSV. EWH
You are reading content posted in the STDs 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.
