Looking for reassurance

[dan450]

I am looking for reassurance, based on date found on Medhelp, that this is not herpes, hpv, warts.  I had an exposure on March 29th, which was primarily mutual masturbation and a brief instance of his penis rubbing on mine (maybe 5-10 seconds at the most); once I realized, I stopped it. The concern is that I noticed a few small bumps on the underside of my penis, not a cluster formation, rather a vertical line almost. They don't hurt or itch or have any sensation. They seem to fit the description of harmless cysts that I read in the dermatology area.

I have reassured myself it is not herpes because of data on this website:
1. initial outbreak normally occurs within 2 weeks; it has been 11 weeks
2. very low risk exposure; near zero (rubbing penis for 10 seconds is more the concern than masturbation)
3. Asked if he had std's and he said no, twice
4. Since I noticed them 48 hours ago, they have not progressed like herpes, erupt and scab over; no pain/stinging
5. Not everything that occurs on the penis has to be an std or related to this exposure

Can you please reassure me that this could not be herpes based on the data provided. I have finally come to the conclusion that I cannot manage the stress that comes with this behavior. I just need to make it through this last one, and I am home free.

[frank855]

doc how can i post a question for you ??

[Banks3]

was diagnosed with HPV-2 but looking for second opinion not sure how to fully explain my symptoms but have vidvid pictures of what i have questions for is it possible to email or upload these pictures to you please help

[MaggieNoodles]

Hi Terri,

My question extends Dan's concern of acquiring Herpes, HPV, or other such STDs through penile rubbing to acquiring them through vaginal/penile rubbing, or even through KISSING. Can the above mentioned infections be transmitted through kissing or rubbing without clothes on?

I have had a HSV reading for Type 1 + 2 as 0.50 after 13 weeks of exposure. This was a serum blood test for IGG antibodies. This is a higher negative, as I read in one of your discussions. My IGM results after 3 weeks were 0.21.

I have had sudden eruptions of acne after exposure - they were pus-filled but not much painful, and I have always had acne eruptions since puberty.

So does the 0.50 value hint at the possibility of a positive reading in the future?

[dan450]

Terri,

These bumps have more or less become less noticeable and certainly don't appear to be herpes. I have moved past this.

I just have the HPV/warts question unresolved. I have researched on my own, but it only confuses me more.

Would my exposure of masturbation and brief genital rubbing be a way to get hpv or warts? That's really the extent of any of my exposures in the last 5 years and it is only a handful of exposures in total.

Would you be able to tell me how little the risk would be for hpv warts?

Can I give my wife warts in her mouth/throat when she gives me oral sex?

Thank you in advance. This will close my only remaining concern

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I think rubbing two penises together very briefly presents very little risk for acquiring herpes, really and truly.  It seems to me that you engaged in a behavior that bothers you from some perspective, be it moral or lacking in monogamy or whatever it might be.  When that happens, our interpretation of things that happen with our body get clouded and more confusing.  

If your bumps change, have them reviewed by a clinician, OK?

Terri

[dan450]

It is the 4th day since I noticed them; no progression at all towards eruption or scabbing. Actually, hard to see them. I think I over reacted out of anxiety (yet again).

Can you speak directly to the risk of the penis rubbing against each other briefly (10 seconds) with regard to herpes and genital warts please.

[dan450]

Terri,

I have never been tested, but I am quite confident that I never had a herpes outbreak ever. I would have noticed it because I would not miss something like that to my genitals.

It has been 3 days, and they have not changed or progressed to bursting and scabbing, like herpes.  There is no pain or any sensation. I don't even know they are there, except that I see them when I look at them.

To be honest, I doubt this is herpes or even genital warts. It is the fact that our genitals rubbed together for a few seconds that makes me think it is even remotely possible. I have not had insertive sex, just the safe stuff like masturbation. Unfortunately,  if a penis rubs on mine, before I can stop it and it is only for a few seconds, it makes me nervous.

Is there a certain amount of time after exposure that it just becomes impossible for herpes to be suspected?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I don't know if you have herpes or not, but I do know that the situation you describe has an extremely low risk for acquiring herpes.  I would say almost zero.  Also, the presentation that you describe does not sound consistent with a herpes outbreak at all.  You are correct that not everything on the penis is an STI, it could be a normal skin variant.  But given you are worried and given that this is a new thing, my advice would be to seek a medical evaluation of what these are.  

Have you done any antibody testing to determine if you had herpes before this encounter?

Terri