[Question #3601] Possible genital herpes sore
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88 months ago
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My concern is I had protected bj and protected sex with a csw evening April 6 . Both were for short period and sex was doggy style and was not allowing to much skin contact. On April 8th I returned home from my trip and had unprotected sex with my significant other. I had shaved my genital area that night and next day On the 9th I had some red bumps which happen due to shaving but on the left side of my shaft (half way) up a sore. Looked like a friction sore that I remember feeling it hurt a bit during sex so thought nothing. After a few days all red bumps healed up as usual but not the sore . It is a round open sore that was a bit sensitive to the touch when I played with it and would look a bit wet. but never was a blister just an open sore that is finally healing as of today ( was size of half of back of a pencil) new light pink skin around the red middle that's still healing. My worry is this seems to be a herpes sore as described online. I haven't had any other symptoms or issues.
What I am wondering is I have had a western blot test done 4 yrs ago and was hsv1 positive and never have had a breakout on my mouth or penis. At the time I had weird pains from unprotected bj and then tested 6 weeks with burning urethra pains once a month for 6 months straight with other herpetic symptoms , pain in buttocks, sore groin and lower stomach area. Sore leg muscles but never a sore . Over last 3+ years had a few similar symptoms with penis burning but milder then back when I was infected.
My question is can a person with genital hsv1 ( if that's what I truly have) all of a sudden have an outbreak with a sore for first time or is this a new hsv2 infection. I am confused how I could catch this with protected bj and sex which was brief and safely covered . Why would sore be where condom was protecting my penis. Thanks for your input.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
88 months ago
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I am concerned about herpes, given your description of the sore. It could be a recurrence of HSV 1, certainly. That seems more likely to me than new HSV 2 but condoms do not offer 100% protection for men having sex with women so this is not a certainty. Did you have a clinician evaluate the sore or take a swab test? If it happens again, I would strongly suggest that you have it swab tested. In the meanwhile, I would suggest you get an IgG test for HSV 2 when about 6 weeks have passed. A final test can be don at 12 weeks. Do you know your partner's HSV status?
Terri
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Terri
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88 months ago
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Hello Terri, thanks for your reply. I'm in canada and I will ask about blood test as I don't think they offer unless a sore is present for a swab. So I will get it swabbed next time it occurs. I will look at getting blood test done . My partner is positive for hsv1 as well.
She gets rare cold sore on her lip. If this was new hsv2 would I not get multiple blisters? You mention could be my past hsv1 but I never have gotten a sore before? I have had lesions on my middle scrotum that looked like a shaving accident that then scabbed up and healed but open sore never stayed as long as this recent one on shaft has been?
I thought the virus had to be massaged in to your skin to catch it. If the condom is covering your penis and you are being careful to not fully penetrate ( keeping uncovered penis out) how is virus spread?? Even with a few brief rubs past condom is that automatically enough to cause infection. They really need to make a condom that is attached to a thin clear pair of under wear briefs ( like under armour)
I'm just very confused. Thanks
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
88 months ago
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A person with already established HSV 1 infection is less likely to have dramatic or even noticeable symptoms when they acquire HSV 2, so the answer is no.
Just because you have not had HSV 1 outbreaks before doesn't mean you couldn't start having a few, right?
Virus is usually rubbed in through intercourse, your exposure doesn't sound likely for infection but vaginal secretions can go many places. If I had to guess, this might be your old HSV 1 infection but antibody testing for her and/or you would clarify the situation. If you, you should wait at least six weeks for an initial test.
Terri
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Just because you have not had HSV 1 outbreaks before doesn't mean you couldn't start having a few, right?
Virus is usually rubbed in through intercourse, your exposure doesn't sound likely for infection but vaginal secretions can go many places. If I had to guess, this might be your old HSV 1 infection but antibody testing for her and/or you would clarify the situation. If you, you should wait at least six weeks for an initial test.
Terri
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88 months ago
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Hello Terri, I appreciate your time helping me improve my undertstanding of herpes.
Just thought I would mention my sore was more of a crater looking sore not like I have read where it says herpes is on the surface. Not sure if that changes your thoughts at all?It made me think syphilis .
If you already have hsv1 does it matter where this infection is to reduce the effect of a possible new hsv2 infection? Existing Oral hsv1 and new genital hsv2 still will be less dramatic?? Yes or no
Does all oral hsv2 infections cause sores in mouth , throat and tongue or can it be a sore on lip like hsv1? Just looking for info in case this is new hsv2 and don't want to infect anyone and be more knowledgeable.
Last question- you mentioned "vaginal secretions can go many places"? I was under impression that the virus is not in the fluid.
Can you explain what you mean as I want to understand so I can reduce risks. Thanks again for your time and expertise.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
88 months ago
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Well, syphilis is also a possibility but herpes blisters that break then form an ulceration in the skin. Yes, if you have HSV 1 anywhere, a new HSV 2 infection will be less symptomatic/noticeable. HSV 2 if oral can be on the lip, yes. Virus can be in vagina fluids as it can be shed from the mucous membrane of the cervix and labia and picked up by vaginal secretions.
Terri
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Terri
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