Does this fit Herpes?

[fs569]

I realize this forum can't diagnose, but I would like to know what aspects of this fit and/or contradict HSV, and if there are other conditions that fit. I am a mid-20s male who has been in an exclusive relationship for two years, and was in another before that. We are intimate with a high frequency, and these symptoms are new to either of us.

- Day 1: I notice some mild irritation on one side of my shaft after intercourse, but think nothing of it.

- Day 3: While in the shower, I notice that in that spot, there are now two "pimples" with whiteheads, about a half inch apart. I try to pop one, but it doesn't work. Once they dry, I notice that they are no longer white, but are slightly depressed and deep red in the center, with light red, slightly swollen inflammation around them. Only hurt if I poke or squeeze.

- Day 4: I notice two more, half an inch further down. Same process. They all develop slightly yellowish scabs, but continue to turn white in the shower.

- Day 6: In the shower, I notice a drop of clear discharge from one of the first ones, and notice that the "whiteheads"/scabs come off when I wash. Inside, there is a slight crater, no deeper than the swelling. I place a bandage over them and notice a fifth sore that is developing two inches further up the bottom of the shaft. I change the bandage later and notice that it has absorbed some red/yellow pus, decide it's time to see a doctor.

I gather it's possible that one of us acquired HSV earlier and it had been dormant, but it seems improbable. I also have found conflicting info over whether yellow pus is an expected HSV symptom, and find the "new" sores popping up over time in different places strange. I'm pretty sure they weren't there when I saw the first two. I also thought HSV was supposed to be more painful or itchy.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. - FS

[gigi2990]

Hey,
I recently discovered a bump or lump in my left labia. It wasn't painful but as it got bigger, it became a reddish color and painful to touch. It was very uncomfortable to walk and sit. After 4 days, the bump popped during the night and some blood came out and I think some pus came out also. Now it looks like I have a cut. Its only one bump and it didnt multiply at all. Now, I think I'm having a discharge but a light one, every now and then (maybe 4 to 5 hours apart).
I was wondering if I have herpes because every time I search for the symptoms it always come back to herpes.
Also you should know that I recently had my period, and I used a scented pad (for the first time) And I was wondering if it could be that or is it herpes?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

The swab test may be good enough, but swab tests do miss infection sometimes.  The doctors explanation may be correct, the mouth has bacteria that can be transmitted to the genital area through oral sex, certainly.  

Condoms reduce the risk of transmitted herpes by 30%, which is good but not great.  You might check to see specifically if your partner's STD screen included herpes testing - most do not.  And depending upon the number of sex partners you've had in your life, you might want to consider HSV antibody testing as part of future STD screens.  it is the most prevalent STD in the US yes is rarely included in STD screens.

Terri

[fs569]

Terri, no worries. I'm in a similar position, and suspect the stress probably made me more susceptible to infection, as I simultaneously caught a contagious cold. My worries subsided a bit after doing additional research, as I gathered that a great number of skin conditions all seem to look very much like what I had, including some manifestations of MRSA, folliculitis, and scabies.

Fortunately, I was able to get into my university clinic on Wednesday. Having private insurance and a local doctor, I'd forgotten it existed. He took a swab from all of the lesions, including the new ones, and they have come back negative today.

*phew*

Not to go overboard in explaining this, but he suggested that I may have developed an infection from teethmarks that then spread to any other small nicks and cuts around it over the next few days. He said he sees people alarmed because they think they have herpes from this quite a bit, and felt that the fact that the swab test didn't hurt was a very good sign.

I did in fact develop one more spot after seeing him, near the first four, one day 8.

I am using topical and oral antibiotics (doxycycline), which seems to have stopped the development of new spots and stopped the pussing quite quickly (24 hours). I am monitoring these to see that they heal quickly. They itch slightly from time to time now, but that has more to do with the topical ointment. The redness is subsiding, and there has been no flaking or significant scabbing.

I have not had an antibody test as I have been consistent in the past about safe sex (that proves nothing, I know), and my partner had a workup of STDs done shortly before we started dating.

My questions would be...
1) Is the swab test reliable enough that I should not worry?
2) Does the doctor's explanation sound "right"?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

First, I am sorry to be late in posting back.  We started a HUGE herpes medication study in our clinic three weeks ago, and I'm working very long hours.  Please forgive me.

Yellow pus is not an expected symptom from herpes, but the rest of what you describe is definitely concerning me.  You need to get a swab test from these lesions ASAP.  Not all herpes is painful or itchy.  Don't bandage these, just leave them exposed to the air.  Have you had an antibody test, has your partner?

Terri