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Possible HSV2?

Gay male - I ended a relationship about a year ago and was tested via IGG 3 months after - negative for HSV2. I am HSV1 positive due to cold sores as a child.

2 weeks ago, my ex and I hung out. I noticed a red bump/rashed area in the upper part of his anal “crack”; he said it didn’t hurt but said it has been really dry there multiple times throughout his life (I remember this from our relationship). I may also add he is a strict top - so his anal area isn’t ever really touched or played with.

We engaged in oral sex (mouth to penis - no oral to anal) for a max of 10 mins (no sores on penis) and we did naked cuddle for 2 nights.

A few days later I noticed 1 bump on my pubic region (that may have come in contact w/ the sore when cuddling). This sounds crazy, but to get a better look, I “pull” my pubic hair up to see the skin more closely. I don’t shave, so I ruled out ingrown hairs. A day or so later, 2 or 3 more bumps appears in the same general area - 2 of these have a clear hair coming out of them and one I popped and had white puss. None have formed what I would say are a blister and they aren’t touching eachother or clustered. I’m considering the new bumps appears from irritation of me pulling the hairs and skin too much while inspecting. No other symptoms.

If what he has was HSV2, what are my chances I caught this from my exposure? It’s too late to get a swab but may wait 3 months for another blood test.
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207091 tn?1337709493
COMMUNITY LEADER
I agree with the doc that it sounds like folliculitis.

If your partner has hsv2, the chances of you getting it are very slim from the activities you engaged in. Hsv2 rarely spreads during oral, and it takes more than naked cuddling to transmit. It usually requires the kind of friction associated with intercourse (vaginal or anal).

Even if your partner is a strict top, he could get hsv2 outbreaks there, though. They can appear anywhere in the genital or anal area. I wouldn't panic and think he has it - that's just some general FYI.
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4 Comments
Thank you! So would you say without obvious symptoms I probably don’t need testing for this?
I wouldn't unless you get symptoms. There are false positives on the hsv2 IgG test, and it can take several weeks/months and hundreds of dollars to sort those out, not to mention loads of stress and anxiety.

Thank you. The bumps have gone away and there is a clear hair where they were, so I’m sure it was folliculitis.

Oddly enough, during this healing phase I developed 2 red areas on my scrotum (1 on each side). No pain, discomfort, bumps, blisters, etc. very minor itching - but that may be mental. Clear borders of the red skin vs normal; and zero redness on the skin that divides the scrotum.

Doctor said it was contact dermatitis and prescribed hydrocortisone - the red areas have faded but now the entire scrotum is red. I saw a dermatologist and she said she isn’t sure but it’s not infectious and may be red scrotum syndrome. Just nervous if this is related or completely unrelated to herpes? I’m assuming it’s not…especially as RSS can often be brought on by stress/anxiety…that may be it.

RSS is not related to herpes. It can often be tricky to find the cause of that, outside of stress, but continue to work with your doctor.

I see no reason to be concerned about herpes. None at all.
Avatar universal
I went to a doctor today and they examined me and said they are certain it’s folliculitis - even after me picking at it. She said the white puss was indicative of that and that she is certain it’s nothing sexually related
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