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HSV-1 on Penis Head?
Hello all,
For the past while, I've been shaken to the core worrying about herpes symptoms but hadn't experienced any on the genitals until March of 2018. Here's the background:
I've been having sex with my girlfriend exclusively since the beginning of December 2017. I asked her if she has had any signs of STD's and she said absolutely never. So I trust her in that regard, but obviously, an STD like herpes may not be noticeable on some people if they had it in the past. Most of the time it was unprotected. In mid-December, I got a Yeast Infection that lasted for about 4 to 5 days (Penis head was extremely red, patches of white skin coming off, and clear, sticky discharge coming out of my penis). The doctor diagnosed it as Balanitis, which is caused by Candida, a bacterial issue. I had no sores, and it went away with Antibiotics, no problem.
During Spring Break, I was in another state with a bunch of my friends and my girlfriend gave me oral and quick, regular intercourse briefly once, but I wanted to stop because people were in other rooms and I didn't want to be rude. Here's where it begins.
Just about 24 hours after, I noticed a small red rough spot on the head of my penis (glans), that had a rough skin or "scab" like consistency. It did not hurt, itch, bleed, hurt to pee, or have any type of sensation before it popped up. In fact, I woke up to go to the bathroom and saw it was there. This is the very first genital spot I have ever noticed, and I check frequently. My time stamp of taking the picture was at 3:54 AM. I was not able to see a doctor to get swabbed since I was in an unfamiliar area at the beginning of break.
In my mind, I tried to be rational, but it was difficult. I put some antibiotic/antibacterial penis cream on the spot to see if it would disappear, and sure enough, it did less than 24 hours later. I thought that it could possibly be due to friction rub from sex or the fact that I'm in college and I truly don't clean my penis or take showers that often (I know, gross). Another possibility is that a few days prior to that, I masturbated with soap and similar irritant shampoo/conditioner lubricants.
Lastly, I am VERY on top of my Sexual Health and have worn a condom each time prior to my girlfriend, and have tested negative for STDs and STIs every time I go. In August of 2017, my doctor diagnosed me with Molluscum Contagiousum above my groin region, and I did a test for Herpes Type 1 & 2 to just check in. The IGG came back positive for HSV-1 with an index value of 3.14 and negative for HSV-2. 4 weeks after the spot disappeared, I received an IGM that came back negative for both herpes 1 and 2 (thought the doctor would give me another IGG), presumably meaning I did not have a recent infection. I UNDERSTAND THAT IGM IS NOT A GREAT TEST. I have had cold sores in the past and so has my dad, which means I probably had an acquired infection from years prior, especially considering I hadn't noticed genital symptoms beforehand.
My questions are:
1. Would a Herpes sore appear and disappear so quickly after sex?
2. Is 4 weeks too late to take an accurate IGM?
3. Would I be more protected from genital HSV-1 considering that I have an established infection?
4. Do herpes sores ever show up FIRST as a scab, rough red patch like the pictures?
5. What is the shortest time a herpes sore can last?
I understand that this is an online forum and not to use this over a doctor, but I'm using whatever resources I can to seek reassurance from knowledgeable people instead of waiting for a potential reoccurrence.
For the past while, I've been shaken to the core worrying about herpes symptoms but hadn't experienced any on the genitals until March of 2018. Here's the background:
I've been having sex with my girlfriend exclusively since the beginning of December 2017. I asked her if she has had any signs of STD's and she said absolutely never. So I trust her in that regard, but obviously, an STD like herpes may not be noticeable on some people if they had it in the past. Most of the time it was unprotected. In mid-December, I got a Yeast Infection that lasted for about 4 to 5 days (Penis head was extremely red, patches of white skin coming off, and clear, sticky discharge coming out of my penis). The doctor diagnosed it as Balanitis, which is caused by Candida, a bacterial issue. I had no sores, and it went away with Antibiotics, no problem.
During Spring Break, I was in another state with a bunch of my friends and my girlfriend gave me oral and quick, regular intercourse briefly once, but I wanted to stop because people were in other rooms and I didn't want to be rude. Here's where it begins.
Just about 24 hours after, I noticed a small red rough spot on the head of my penis (glans), that had a rough skin or "scab" like consistency. It did not hurt, itch, bleed, hurt to pee, or have any type of sensation before it popped up. In fact, I woke up to go to the bathroom and saw it was there. This is the very first genital spot I have ever noticed, and I check frequently. My time stamp of taking the picture was at 3:54 AM. I was not able to see a doctor to get swabbed since I was in an unfamiliar area at the beginning of break.
In my mind, I tried to be rational, but it was difficult. I put some antibiotic/antibacterial penis cream on the spot to see if it would disappear, and sure enough, it did less than 24 hours later. I thought that it could possibly be due to friction rub from sex or the fact that I'm in college and I truly don't clean my penis or take showers that often (I know, gross). Another possibility is that a few days prior to that, I masturbated with soap and similar irritant shampoo/conditioner lubricants.
Lastly, I am VERY on top of my Sexual Health and have worn a condom each time prior to my girlfriend, and have tested negative for STDs and STIs every time I go. In August of 2017, my doctor diagnosed me with Molluscum Contagiousum above my groin region, and I did a test for Herpes Type 1 & 2 to just check in. The IGG came back positive for HSV-1 with an index value of 3.14 and negative for HSV-2. 4 weeks after the spot disappeared, I received an IGM that came back negative for both herpes 1 and 2 (thought the doctor would give me another IGG), presumably meaning I did not have a recent infection. I UNDERSTAND THAT IGM IS NOT A GREAT TEST. I have had cold sores in the past and so has my dad, which means I probably had an acquired infection from years prior, especially considering I hadn't noticed genital symptoms beforehand.
My questions are:
1. Would a Herpes sore appear and disappear so quickly after sex?
2. Is 4 weeks too late to take an accurate IGM?
3. Would I be more protected from genital HSV-1 considering that I have an established infection?
4. Do herpes sores ever show up FIRST as a scab, rough red patch like the pictures?
5. What is the shortest time a herpes sore can last?
I understand that this is an online forum and not to use this over a doctor, but I'm using whatever resources I can to seek reassurance from knowledgeable people instead of waiting for a potential reoccurrence.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi -
1 - No. Herpes takes at least 2 days to show up if you are going to get symptoms.
2 - Yes, 4 weeks would be fine for an IgM, and yours may be accurate, but it's a test that shouldn't be done on adults. It is often incorrect.
3 - Yes. Having hsv1 antibodies already offers great protection against getting it again in another location. So long as you aren't exposed to an actual outbreak (think receiving oral sex with someone with an outbreak on their lips), then you probably won't ever get it anywhere else.
4 - I assume this is possible, in theory, but not likely.
5 - This varies from person to person, but on average, without treatment, probably 5-7 days.
You've had candida (not a bacteria, but a fungus) before, and whatever you had responded to the antibiotic cream, so whatever it is, is not likely to be herpes.
So now it's June, almost July. You had the sore in March, and don't mention getting another one since. Why are you still concerned about it? I think you can move on now. :)
1 - No. Herpes takes at least 2 days to show up if you are going to get symptoms.
2 - Yes, 4 weeks would be fine for an IgM, and yours may be accurate, but it's a test that shouldn't be done on adults. It is often incorrect.
3 - Yes. Having hsv1 antibodies already offers great protection against getting it again in another location. So long as you aren't exposed to an actual outbreak (think receiving oral sex with someone with an outbreak on their lips), then you probably won't ever get it anywhere else.
4 - I assume this is possible, in theory, but not likely.
5 - This varies from person to person, but on average, without treatment, probably 5-7 days.
You've had candida (not a bacteria, but a fungus) before, and whatever you had responded to the antibiotic cream, so whatever it is, is not likely to be herpes.
So now it's June, almost July. You had the sore in March, and don't mention getting another one since. Why are you still concerned about it? I think you can move on now. :)
1 Comments
Thank you, I appreciate the informed and honest response.
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
