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Could this be herpes or another STD
Ok, so here is the situation. I am a man who Roughly 5 to 6 months ago recieved only oral sex from someone who later told me she had genital herpes.
About 2 weeks after the incident I got diagnosed with Jock Itch, and used the cream and it went away.
Then about a month after I noticed a red sore on the top left of my penis shaft that looked like it could be too rough during masterbation, but idk. It healed almost instantly when I stopped masterbating for a week and now about 5 months later can still kinda see the area where it was.
Then about 2 or 3 weeks later under the right side of the head of my penis almost where the head meets the shaft, I got a bright red dot, almost like someone just poked it with a red sharpie. Very small and flat, And completely painless. This was there for about a week then just faded.
About three months after the incident I got one small patch of hairloss in my beard which has never happened. That is still there. It's in a circular shape.
Now about 6 months after the incident in the same area that the bump that I assumed was from masterbating, the skin around it looks slightly odd to me, and it's in an area where my penis has excess skin folds and if I flatten the skin I can't tell if it looks as if the skin is cracked in a few straight lesions side by side or if it's just where the skin has always folded in that area and the skin texture is different. I know that prob sounds crazy but it's hard to describe. It doesn't hurt, the skin isn't red, and hasn't changed.
Basically that's been my situation last 6 months and my questions are,
1. Can you even get herpes from someone who has the herpes genitally, but has only given you oral or does it have to be contact with the area they have it?
2. Does this sound like it could be herpes or any other STD like syphilis? I have read that syphilis can cause patchy hairloss, or is this all just me looking so hard I am noticing things I would never normally pay attention to?
About 2 weeks after the incident I got diagnosed with Jock Itch, and used the cream and it went away.
Then about a month after I noticed a red sore on the top left of my penis shaft that looked like it could be too rough during masterbation, but idk. It healed almost instantly when I stopped masterbating for a week and now about 5 months later can still kinda see the area where it was.
Then about 2 or 3 weeks later under the right side of the head of my penis almost where the head meets the shaft, I got a bright red dot, almost like someone just poked it with a red sharpie. Very small and flat, And completely painless. This was there for about a week then just faded.
About three months after the incident I got one small patch of hairloss in my beard which has never happened. That is still there. It's in a circular shape.
Now about 6 months after the incident in the same area that the bump that I assumed was from masterbating, the skin around it looks slightly odd to me, and it's in an area where my penis has excess skin folds and if I flatten the skin I can't tell if it looks as if the skin is cracked in a few straight lesions side by side or if it's just where the skin has always folded in that area and the skin texture is different. I know that prob sounds crazy but it's hard to describe. It doesn't hurt, the skin isn't red, and hasn't changed.
Basically that's been my situation last 6 months and my questions are,
1. Can you even get herpes from someone who has the herpes genitally, but has only given you oral or does it have to be contact with the area they have it?
2. Does this sound like it could be herpes or any other STD like syphilis? I have read that syphilis can cause patchy hairloss, or is this all just me looking so hard I am noticing things I would never normally pay attention to?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
As I said, I am inclined to believe nothing is wrong at all. If I am right, then obviously there is no hurry. However, I cannot guarantee it, so you'll have to depend on your own sense of urgency or curiosity. I'm just suggesting a low cost or possibly cost-free option, if you want to get it settled sooner rather than later.
With that last response I'd like to ask you one more question if you don't mind. How urgent would you say it is for me to get tested off of the incident, and what was described? I did get tested not even 2 months before that and was fine, so this incident and it's probabilities is my only concern.
Thanks again for your replies and having a site like this.
Thanks again for your replies and having a site like this.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your local public health department STD clinic probably is available at little or no cost. But up to you. Good luck.
Thank you thank you for the quick response. I do plan on getting an exam, but insurance and money isn't there right now. But thanks again until I can.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum. Bottom line: you describe nothing that makes me suspicious of genital herpes or any other STD.
First to your opening comment and question 1: You can only catch herpes by direct contact with the infected site, and a person with genital herpes rarely has a simultaneous oral infection. It is possible, but rare; and even if someone was infected at both anatomic sites, oral shedding of HSV-2 (the usual cause of genital herpes) is rare.
As for question 2, none of the symptoms you describe is typical for genital herpes -- and for sure it is impossible that all the genital skin problems you report (jock itch, the apparent injury from masturbation, "excess folds" in the skin, etc) are due to herpes. As for the last, I suspect you indeed are paying too much attention to the appearance of your penile skin; what you describe doesn't sound abnormal to me.
Of course if you remain concerned, you should see a health care provider for direct examination. I expect you would find his or her opinion equally reassuring as mine is -- probably more so, as is only proper from a direct examination.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
First to your opening comment and question 1: You can only catch herpes by direct contact with the infected site, and a person with genital herpes rarely has a simultaneous oral infection. It is possible, but rare; and even if someone was infected at both anatomic sites, oral shedding of HSV-2 (the usual cause of genital herpes) is rare.
As for question 2, none of the symptoms you describe is typical for genital herpes -- and for sure it is impossible that all the genital skin problems you report (jock itch, the apparent injury from masturbation, "excess folds" in the skin, etc) are due to herpes. As for the last, I suspect you indeed are paying too much attention to the appearance of your penile skin; what you describe doesn't sound abnormal to me.
Of course if you remain concerned, you should see a health care provider for direct examination. I expect you would find his or her opinion equally reassuring as mine is -- probably more so, as is only proper from a direct examination.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
