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Recurrent herpes symptoms?
Dear Drs:
It seems I am having recurring herpes-like symptoms, albeit mild, though tests are negative.
First symptoms occurred 17 days after mutual masturbation, on the glans, which Dr Hook previously advised were not herpes.
Swab was negative (about 40 hours after first noticing symptoms), as were two IGG tests, 8 weeks after symptoms (10 weeks from exposure) and (HerpeSelect) nearly 16 weeks after symptoms (17 from exposure).
About four months on, I developed a small red bump with a tiny fissure on my glans, the morning after masturbation. This soon disappeared, almost forgotten . . .
Nearly six months from the initial episode, I developed symptoms, again the morning after masturbation: some inflammation on my glans and (briefly) slight stinging from a small slightly raised red bump with fissure (about 1 mm), this time just below the glans on the pulled-back foreskin; at least two other pink roundish sores (about 2mm in diameter) on the pulled-back foreskin just below the glans, but these were flat, not raised; slightly inflamed area on the on the glans next to the corona turned into a small bump on day 2.
On day 2 sores started healing, and healed completely by about 3 days (4 days at the longest).
I didn’t visit my physician for a swab as there was no fluid, no blisters or ulceration.
I had put Aquaphor on my penis while masturbating; after masturbating, I put more on before going to bed—I didn’t clean my penis or under the foreskin. I have also been using Aquaphor on my penis daily for some time.
Each episode has happened the morning after rigorous masturbation. It is very unlikely that I picked up herpes from one very brief hand job (person didn’t even touch my glans), yet I am worried about these “recurrences.”
I have read the stats on the forum, but how often do you actually witness false neg IGGs in your actual practices? And I appreciate your expert advice, generally.
Thank you.
It seems I am having recurring herpes-like symptoms, albeit mild, though tests are negative.
First symptoms occurred 17 days after mutual masturbation, on the glans, which Dr Hook previously advised were not herpes.
Swab was negative (about 40 hours after first noticing symptoms), as were two IGG tests, 8 weeks after symptoms (10 weeks from exposure) and (HerpeSelect) nearly 16 weeks after symptoms (17 from exposure).
About four months on, I developed a small red bump with a tiny fissure on my glans, the morning after masturbation. This soon disappeared, almost forgotten . . .
Nearly six months from the initial episode, I developed symptoms, again the morning after masturbation: some inflammation on my glans and (briefly) slight stinging from a small slightly raised red bump with fissure (about 1 mm), this time just below the glans on the pulled-back foreskin; at least two other pink roundish sores (about 2mm in diameter) on the pulled-back foreskin just below the glans, but these were flat, not raised; slightly inflamed area on the on the glans next to the corona turned into a small bump on day 2.
On day 2 sores started healing, and healed completely by about 3 days (4 days at the longest).
I didn’t visit my physician for a swab as there was no fluid, no blisters or ulceration.
I had put Aquaphor on my penis while masturbating; after masturbating, I put more on before going to bed—I didn’t clean my penis or under the foreskin. I have also been using Aquaphor on my penis daily for some time.
Each episode has happened the morning after rigorous masturbation. It is very unlikely that I picked up herpes from one very brief hand job (person didn’t even touch my glans), yet I am worried about these “recurrences.”
I have read the stats on the forum, but how often do you actually witness false neg IGGs in your actual practices? And I appreciate your expert advice, generally.
Thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No change in my opinion. This really does not suggest herpes. EWH
Thanks Dr.
Dermatologist--very rushed--saw picture I took of "recurrence" and said it might have been seborrheic dermatitis, but she also implied that Aquaphor and hydrocortisone wouldn't cause such skin breakdown etc.which makes me more concerned.
Left in limbo and in a downward spiral of depression. I keep dwelling on the "coincidence" of all these events after one sexual encounter.
Dermatologist--very rushed--saw picture I took of "recurrence" and said it might have been seborrheic dermatitis, but she also implied that Aquaphor and hydrocortisone wouldn't cause such skin breakdown etc.which makes me more concerned.
Left in limbo and in a downward spiral of depression. I keep dwelling on the "coincidence" of all these events after one sexual encounter.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I not suggest that you tell prospective partners anything about genital herpes. There is no evidence that you have it.
1. Please re-read my answer. AS I said, these bumps do not suggest genital herpes.
2. Yes
3. Certainly,, Aquaphor has many ingredients that could cause a reaction.
4. The sooner a swab test is taken the more accurate it is. Swabs are also more accurate with initial lesions than with recurrences.
Another point. As I understand it, you have only had these bumps appear after masturbation. That too makes HSV unlikely. Why would they occur only at this point. EWH
1. Please re-read my answer. AS I said, these bumps do not suggest genital herpes.
2. Yes
3. Certainly,, Aquaphor has many ingredients that could cause a reaction.
4. The sooner a swab test is taken the more accurate it is. Swabs are also more accurate with initial lesions than with recurrences.
Another point. As I understand it, you have only had these bumps appear after masturbation. That too makes HSV unlikely. Why would they occur only at this point. EWH
Thank you Dr H.
I really appreciate your counsel: I don’t know what to tell a prospective partner, and it is difficult to reach a dermatologist while having an “outbreak.” I have some follow up questions:
1. Do the symptoms (and duration) resemble mild herpes symptoms? And is masturbation a common trigger?
2. I can see how trauma could lead to a rash, general inflammation etc—but is it liable to lead to the isolated spots/bumps?
3. Do you think Aquaphor could have been an irritant?
4. The herpes forum suggests the swab catches only 30% of positive cases—does this stat take include swabs taken outside of 48 hours? Is a swab taken within the timeline more accurate?
Thank you
I really appreciate your counsel: I don’t know what to tell a prospective partner, and it is difficult to reach a dermatologist while having an “outbreak.” I have some follow up questions:
1. Do the symptoms (and duration) resemble mild herpes symptoms? And is masturbation a common trigger?
2. I can see how trauma could lead to a rash, general inflammation etc—but is it liable to lead to the isolated spots/bumps?
3. Do you think Aquaphor could have been an irritant?
4. The herpes forum suggests the swab catches only 30% of positive cases—does this stat take include swabs taken outside of 48 hours? Is a swab taken within the timeline more accurate?
Thank you
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back to the Forum. Your history and negative tests really do not suggest herpes at all. Your symptoms typically follow masturbation and I would venture a guess that they are somehow related to this practice. About 3% of persons who develop and have CULTURE OR PCR PROVEN HSV do not develop positive HerpeSelect tests. In my experience the proportion is smaller and the persons who do not develop positive HerpeSelect tests also do not experience recurrences.
My suggestion is that you shoul discuss this with a dermatologist. I DO know that "trauma" (i.e. masturbation) can cause recurring skin lesions. Whether or not this is an example of this I do not know an is beyond my expertise. HSV however is an area of expertise for me and it is most unlikely that your recurring lesions are due to HSV. EWH
My suggestion is that you shoul discuss this with a dermatologist. I DO know that "trauma" (i.e. masturbation) can cause recurring skin lesions. Whether or not this is an example of this I do not know an is beyond my expertise. HSV however is an area of expertise for me and it is most unlikely that your recurring lesions are due to 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.
