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Please help ...here is my issue... I am a 39 yr old circumcised hetero male in a 13 yr monogamous relationship.  5 days ago I woke up with a red spot on the head of my penis.  That morning, I went to the dermatologist to have it checked out.  When he came in, he seemed rushed. Said he couldn't make a visual diagnosis, and needed to biopsy it to check it.  Then he wrote me a script for an anti-viral, after asking me if I wanted him to "make it go away", I assuming by burning it off.  Then finally, he took a viral culture and as he is swabbing it he says "it doesn't feel like herpes"... What does that mean?!? He said it should be a week before he gets it back.

On the second day, the spot started to clear up by the third morning it was difficult to see and almost completely gone. There was no scabbing  and or blisters.. The spot looked shiny in the light when it developed.

I have been tested for all other stds and are negative...  5 previous partners-4 of which were long term monogamous relationships, protected and unprotected.No other stds, I'm not sure if they had blood tests for herpes because they never had, and still don't have any symptoms... The other partner was 21yrs ago, unprotected status unknown..

Here is what makes me nervous : I have been extremely stressed recently, and my genital area was itchy right before the spot showed up, I did have a rash in between my legs from sweat and work I believe..cleared up before the red spot showed up. Also the glands in my neck were swollen before the spot showed up.
The red spot never hurt or sore. With the exception of the occasional irritation, jock itch and sometimes spots from irritation in the past, I can never think of any breakout... Never any blisters, fluid, sores or scabs..
Questions:
1. Do you think this could be a mild recurrent herpes breakout in which I missed the others?
2. Do you think I should be blood tested with the igg w/o symptoms
3.overall thoughts? Can't wait for culture?
6 Responses
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Avatar universal
Last question ...Doc, with my previous history...would you recommend IGG Testing for me?

Thanks
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Great, thanks for the follow up.  Take care. EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Dear  Dr.,
Everything came back normal...thank you for easing my mind!
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No, the culture will tell you accurately whether or not the lesion was herpes.  If the culture (or PCR test) is negative, then this is not herpes.  A biopsy would have told what you what it was other than herpes.  

Shinier is not the same as a herpes open sore.

I repeat, I think you need not worry.  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Dear Dr Hook,
Thank you for your rapid response... To clarify, the dermatologist only did the culture, not biopsy... Does that change you opinion on testing?

By ulcerate, do you mean becomes an open sore?? The red mark did have a small part that was "shinier" than the rest, but wouldn't call it an open sore... That was gone completely by day three.  

Still same advice...?

Thanks  

Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the Forum.  I'll try to help.  You have had the definitive tests (the biopsy and culture) and do not need more testing.  My sense is that the dermatologist's mention of herpes (HSV) has generated unwarranted concerns for you. there are many, many processes other than herpes which could explain the origin of the red spot you noted.  The time course of clearance that you describe is too rapid for even a typical HSV recurrence and the fact that the lesion did not ulcerate is likewise inconsistent with HSV.  I anticipate that when your test results are available there will be another explanation for your rash.

As for your specific questions:
1. Do you think this could be a mild recurrent herpes breakout in which I missed the others?
See above.  I doubt that this is HSV.

2. Do you think I should be blood tested with the igg w/o symptoms
Absolutely not- you have had definitive tests and do not need a blood test.  The only thing having a blood test would do is to create the possibility of getting a falsely positive test result.

3.overall thoughts? Can't wait for culture?
Actually, you can wait for the culture and the biopsy and that is just what you should do.  There is no reason not to worry.

I hope this comment is helpful.  EWH
Helpful - 0

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