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STDs  (Expert Forum)
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do i have herpes
Answered by
University of Washington Seattle - WA
This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Warts, Yeast Infection.All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.

do i have herpes

by dumbkid, Jun 01, 2007 12:00AM
Tags: penis, rash
I am a 30 year old man that had received unprotected oral sex from a woman i don't know and condom protected vaginal intercourse following that.  About 2-3 days following i started having tingling and burning sensation over the top of my penis which progressed into a weak stream of urination.  the weak stream lasted about 1 week.  also about 1 week afterwards, i noted an area on the shaft of my penis with about 4-5 very small whitish vesicles - i rechecked the spot a few hours later and they were no longer vesicles but just white spots.  they never ruptured or ulcerated.  I was seen by my family physician the same day and he said they don't look like herpes, but i was tested and neg for GC/chlamydia, IgG and IgM HSV1 and 1 and started on minocycline for possible prostatitis for 10 days and acyclovir 3 weeks just in case.  Th burning and tingling persisted for about 2-3 weeks and then improved, however since about 1 week after the incidence, the head of the penis has been very sensitive to rubbing as i can only wear briefs and no longer boxers.  The sensitivity has persisted since then.  when i look at the penis, the glans looks aged and wrinkly, very small strawberry like bumps in one area adjacent to the urethral meatus.  however, about 2 and 1/2 months later, my girlfriend developed a rash on her back about the size of a silver dollar that was vesicular on an erythematous rash and was told by her dermatologist that it was Herpes virus.  Did she get it from me???  

by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jun 01, 2007 12:00AM
You're really overreacting; all evidence is against herpes.  The most important information you provide is that your FP thought your penile lesions were not herpes; you can be sure that the average family doc is very capable of recognizing herpes.  Aside from the penile bumps, you describe no symptoms that suggest herpes.  Almost certainly you are examining your penis too closely and noticing enitrely normal variations in penile skin--you describe nothing that sounds at all abnormal.  The acyclovir therapy made no sense; my guess is that you insisted and talked your doc into the prescription--it's hard to imagine a responsible physician suggesting herpes therapy in such a situation.

The urinary symptoms you describe are consistent with STD, such as chlamydia or nongonococcal urethritis (NGU)--but not typical for those things, and I doubt you had them.  Prostatitis sound unlikely as well, but I cannot comment further--depends on what your doc found on examination.

Based on your description of your partner's problem, that sounds more like herpes zoster (shingles) than HSV.  But her doc could have done tests to tell the difference; if not, your partner could have a blood test for HSV-1 and -2.  Even if it turns out to be HSV-2, it probably is not a new infection; although recurrent genital herpes can occur anywhere in the 'boxer shorts' area of the body, the first infection almost always involves the genitals or anal area.  In other words, if she has genital area HSV, she didn't get it from you as a result of the sexual adventure you describe.

Bottom line:  Follow your provider's advice, and the advice of your partner's dermatologist.

Good luck--  HHH, MD
Member Comments (2)

by importantQ, Jun 13, 2007 12:00AM
ive never had sex, and i have received pimple like things on my testicles and it has been there for a mounth and im scared, dosent anyone know what it is?
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