[Question #7184] Herpes hair follicle
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60 months ago
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Hi Terri,
I have HSV-2 and take a 1 gram of Valtrex daily. No active outbreaks and I use condoms when having sex with my GF.
A couple days ago I noticed a white bump around one of my hair follicles near the base of my penis where it meets my body. I did notice a grey hair in the middle of it. Sometimes I notice what looks like white puss in it and other times after masturbation the white puss is gone or is less. It DOES NOT hurt and is not tender. It def does NOT look watery or clear like bubble wrap.
I went to 4 different doctors and they say it's not herpes and say it's either a hair follicle or folliclitis. They said I can have intercourse because it's not a herpes lesion. I usually get breakouts on the shaft of my penis and my PCP says the area in question is not a usual area to get a breakout.
My concern is, it's located on an area that is not covered by a condom. I also noticed after I had intercourse with my GF that the white puss was gone. So I am guessing the follicle opened or was irritated in some way. Would this increase her chance of getting HSV-2 from me?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
60 months ago
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Between condom use and the Valtex at a nice high dose, I doubt that transmission from this bump is a concern. Herpes lesions generally don't have pus in them, though they could, but this sounds more like folliculitis to me.
So have you been to four different doctors in the past two days?
Has your partner actually been tested to know that she is not infected? Is she aware of your herpes status?
Terri
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60 months ago
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Yes she’s aware of my status. I went to an urgent care and my PCP and urologist. I take it seriously. They all thought it was follicular And not herpes.
However, this is in a spot not covered by the condom. I did notice it opened up or was irritated after intercourse. I’m guessing it was open during the act.
If it was open during intercourse could she be more at risk from herpes transmission even though it’s folliclitus? I’m really nervous about it. I usually get clear blisters and haven’t had a break out since December last year. Thanks!
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
60 months ago
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No, if it is folliculitis, she is NOT at more risk of acquiring HSV from you. I would believe your providers and move past this, if possible. You sound very responsible, but you've done what you can now.
Terri
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60 months ago
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Thank you Terri!
My GF plans to get tested for HSV-2 this fall. However, she’s a very emotional and stressed out person. We don’t believe she has it yet. If she were to get it would she know? She checks herself regularly and knows her body. Would her outbreak be more severe since she’s stressed a lot?
Do many couples go years without passing it from one to another?
I am very responsible is there anything else I can do to prevent her from getting HSV-2? Like taking lysine?
I accidentally took more than my prescribed 1 gram a day of valtrex bc I forgot I already took it. Is that bad? I took three 500mg pills a day once.
The stigma is so bad how do I lessen the stigma for her?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
60 months ago
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Her outbreaks would not be more severe if she got infected (which we don't know yet, right?) but they could happen more often if the stress is impacting her immune system. One study did find that.
Yes, many many couples go years together, no condoms, no medicine, and do not transmit
There is nothing else at all that you can do. Lysine has not been shown in good studies to reduce outbreak frequency and I don't believe it has been studied for viral shedding.
It's OK to take 2 grams in a day - that is part of the cold sore dosing regimen.
I'm not sure you can reduce the stigma for someone else, honestly. I would suggest that she become as educated as she can be and you might consider looking online at Herpes Opportunity - good website.
I guess it boils down to this: would you rather take a very very small risk of acquiring HSV 2 from you (assuming she doesn't have it already) or be without you. The hard truth, but honestly, that's what it is really about, I believe.
Terri