Aa
Oral Cold sore results in HSV 2 Diagnosis
At the age of 14, small bumps appeared on the head of my penis. These bumps don't change, nor do they leave. I've had them frozen off before only to have them reappear in a period of anywhere from months to years. They appeared at a time when I had no sexual contact whatsoever.
About three years ago my lower lip doubled to twice its normal size. It was very painful, and then a lesion appeared at the bottom of my lip. I was told it could be a staph infection or it could be herpetic. A few weeks after it went away I got tested at a clinic and the tests came back negative. I am fairly certain (though not positive) that I was tested for both HSV 1&2.
Last week: I have started a new relationship and after a date I felt tenderness in the skin below my lower lip. It wasn't "tingly" but I worried that this could be the onset of a sore. I woke up the next day with what looked like a pimple with a white head on my lower lip. I put neosporin on it, and it oozed later that night. By the next morning it was gone although a small bump was still visible.
I went into a clinic for testing. The doctor said cold sore was likely, but that the bump could be a skin infection. I got back my results- positive. I didn't realize it at the time (I feel like my doctor was not very thorough in explaining this), but what I tested positive for was HSV-2.
My HSV1 IGG level was 5.00H
It's upsetting- not sure what this means for me or my partner. Was the sore a manifestation of my HSV-2, and could it spread to my genitals later? The bump's gone now, but how do I know when it is okay to start mouth-to-mouth contact with my partner? If she gets HSV-2 from m2m contact, could it manifest on her gentials? I really wish I knew when I had this, how I got it, etc, because I feel like I don't engage in risky sexual behaviors (although I do have unprotected oral sex with gfs). She also said the bumps on my penis were probably "pearly papules of the penis" (which I had never heard of).
About three years ago my lower lip doubled to twice its normal size. It was very painful, and then a lesion appeared at the bottom of my lip. I was told it could be a staph infection or it could be herpetic. A few weeks after it went away I got tested at a clinic and the tests came back negative. I am fairly certain (though not positive) that I was tested for both HSV 1&2.
Last week: I have started a new relationship and after a date I felt tenderness in the skin below my lower lip. It wasn't "tingly" but I worried that this could be the onset of a sore. I woke up the next day with what looked like a pimple with a white head on my lower lip. I put neosporin on it, and it oozed later that night. By the next morning it was gone although a small bump was still visible.
I went into a clinic for testing. The doctor said cold sore was likely, but that the bump could be a skin infection. I got back my results- positive. I didn't realize it at the time (I feel like my doctor was not very thorough in explaining this), but what I tested positive for was HSV-2.
My HSV1 IGG level was 5.00H
It's upsetting- not sure what this means for me or my partner. Was the sore a manifestation of my HSV-2, and could it spread to my genitals later? The bump's gone now, but how do I know when it is okay to start mouth-to-mouth contact with my partner? If she gets HSV-2 from m2m contact, could it manifest on her gentials? I really wish I knew when I had this, how I got it, etc, because I feel like I don't engage in risky sexual behaviors (although I do have unprotected oral sex with gfs). She also said the bumps on my penis were probably "pearly papules of the penis" (which I had never heard of).
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I suspect you are over reacting. Finding an informed health care provider should not be difficult. There are many superb dermatologist and Infectious Diseases experts with expertise in STIs at Emory. I cannot make a diagnosis for you without the opportunity to take a more extensive history, order tests and exam you- something that cannot be done on-line.
In the meantime, as I have indicated earlier, I doubt that your GF is at significant risk for any STI including herpes from having sex with you as long as you follow common sense precautions such as using condoms and avaiding contact if you have active lesions. EWH
In the meantime, as I have indicated earlier, I doubt that your GF is at significant risk for any STI including herpes from having sex with you as long as you follow common sense precautions such as using condoms and avaiding contact if you have active lesions. EWH
If I am being repetitive it's only because I am unclear on your advice. This is something I take very seriously and I am hearing different things from different doctors so it's a confusing time for me. Your patience and advice are appreciated.
I am currently trying to identify a qualified Physician for this type of matter in the Atlanta area so if you have a suggestion please let me know. Because the whatever-it-was that was on my lip has healed it sounds like I am out of luck on being able to determine conclusively what the location of a potential outbreak is.
You say the doctor who have me the advice and prescription is not well-informed: I have to agree but wonder if you have any specific advice you can give me in regards to what dangers are in store for my girlfriend and I. It sounds like you are suggesting I probably have genital herpes and just have not had an outbreak yet (and that the lip lesion was probably benign) so I want to know what the dangers are if we have a sexual relationship.
I am currently trying to identify a qualified Physician for this type of matter in the Atlanta area so if you have a suggestion please let me know. Because the whatever-it-was that was on my lip has healed it sounds like I am out of luck on being able to determine conclusively what the location of a potential outbreak is.
You say the doctor who have me the advice and prescription is not well-informed: I have to agree but wonder if you have any specific advice you can give me in regards to what dangers are in store for my girlfriend and I. It sounds like you are suggesting I probably have genital herpes and just have not had an outbreak yet (and that the lip lesion was probably benign) so I want to know what the dangers are if we have a sexual relationship.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm not sure why you keep asking the same questions again and again- the answer will not change. The lesions on your penis are most likely normal and are certainly not herpes.
Whomever gave you acyclovir and instructions to not kiss your partner for 10 days after starting the medication is not well informed about HSV. You need to find out if you have herpes by taking a swab specimen from an active (not healed) lesion. If you do not have active lesions on your lip, there is little risk to your partner from kissing her.
I suggest you talk your concerns through with a knowledgable physician- perhaps a dermatologist who can examine you , tell you what is normal and what is not and help you. EWH
Whomever gave you acyclovir and instructions to not kiss your partner for 10 days after starting the medication is not well informed about HSV. You need to find out if you have herpes by taking a swab specimen from an active (not healed) lesion. If you do not have active lesions on your lip, there is little risk to your partner from kissing her.
I suggest you talk your concerns through with a knowledgable physician- perhaps a dermatologist who can examine you , tell you what is normal and what is not and help you. EWH
I guess the lesion on my lip is healed up so getting a culture there may not be feasible. As far as the lesions on my penis- I have unprotected sex with a couple of different partners over the years and I don't believe I have transmitted. I guess my current plan of action is to get the swabs you mentioned on my lip, if possible, and on my genitalia.
I was given a prescription for Acyclovir and instructions that I should not kiss my partner for another 10 days once I begin the medication.
The bumps that aren't warts- they are dark in color, next to the urethra opening and don't disappear, change size, or ooze. Do you think they are most likely herpetic lesions? I have had them for over 20 years
I was given a prescription for Acyclovir and instructions that I should not kiss my partner for another 10 days once I begin the medication.
The bumps that aren't warts- they are dark in color, next to the urethra opening and don't disappear, change size, or ooze. Do you think they are most likely herpetic lesions? I have had them for over 20 years
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'll say it again, the penile lesions you describe do not sound like warts.
As for your HSV blood test, this indicates that you have HSV-2 but does not tell you where the infection is. You may have acquired genital HSV-2 at some time in the past. It is unlikely that your oral sores were doe to HSV-2 but the only way to be sure is with a culture or PCR test for HSV on a specimen taken from a lesion swab. EWH
As for your HSV blood test, this indicates that you have HSV-2 but does not tell you where the infection is. You may have acquired genital HSV-2 at some time in the past. It is unlikely that your oral sores were doe to HSV-2 but the only way to be sure is with a culture or PCR test for HSV on a specimen taken from a lesion swab. EWH
My apologies, that was a typo:
The HSV 2 IGG was 5.0. HSV 1 was .90
The warts I described are located right next to the urethra, which is why I was skeptical that they were the popular since those seem to be located along the ridge
The HSV 2 IGG was 5.0. HSV 1 was .90
The warts I described are located right next to the urethra, which is why I was skeptical that they were the popular since those seem to be located along the ridge
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the Forum. Your post is a it hard to follow. You indicate that your recent blood test was positive for HSV-2 but the blood test result you mention is for HSV-1 which is what might be expected if you has a cold sore at some time in the past. If you can provide some more information, I may be able to make further comments about this.
As far as the "bumps" you describe, what you describe does sound like pearly penile papules which are normal but which are sometimes mistaken both by patients and their doctors as warts and leading to unnecessary treatment. What you describe however does not sound like warts.
Finally, as for contact with your current girlfriend, it is difficult to say since it is not clear to me what your tests have shown. If you have an oral HSV infection, whether it is due to HSV-1 (which, if the lesion was due to HSV is certainly most likely) or HSV-1 (which is a very, very rare cause of lip sores), while there is a small risk for transmission by direct contact (I.e. Like kissing or oral sex) these infections do not spread through the body from the lips to the genitals. They are only transmitted by direct contact.
I hope these comments are helpful. Please let me know more about your blood tests and I may be able to comment further. EWH
As far as the "bumps" you describe, what you describe does sound like pearly penile papules which are normal but which are sometimes mistaken both by patients and their doctors as warts and leading to unnecessary treatment. What you describe however does not sound like warts.
Finally, as for contact with your current girlfriend, it is difficult to say since it is not clear to me what your tests have shown. If you have an oral HSV infection, whether it is due to HSV-1 (which, if the lesion was due to HSV is certainly most likely) or HSV-1 (which is a very, very rare cause of lip sores), while there is a small risk for transmission by direct contact (I.e. Like kissing or oral sex) these infections do not spread through the body from the lips to the genitals. They are only transmitted by direct contact.
I hope these comments are helpful. Please let me know more about your blood tests and I may be able to comment further. EWH
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.
