[Question #7595] HSV Diagnosis Issues
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54 months ago
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Hi Dr's, I posted a question last month about transmissions from handjob and I am in a similar dumb situation again. This time I thought I was perfectly safe; no penetration, used lubrication, no bodily fluids transferred and no signs of infection on girl's hand. However about a 1.5 days later I got the same prostate issue but this time with clear red marks or lesions (rash) under the glans which I first took as caused by friction. I'm settled that the prostate will be just the standard thing I've been dealing with and not discuss this. However, at the doctor's office I asked him to look at rash just to see if he suggested anything and he visually diagnosed me with HSV. To describe the rash in details, I have two spots; 1st spot is left side just under glans that is reddish/brown maybe 0.2" wide of slightly "scaly" skin with some skin starting to flake off. 2nd spot is also just under glans but on the right side and actually looks gray in color, slightly scaly with a red rim also about 0.2" wide. Neither spot is has any blisters, not itchy and not really painful either, maybe just slightly sensitive. Though I do think I have something wrong with me, I didn't think it really looked like HSV and I am having trouble with this diagnosis. The Dr. drew blood for antibody test. I asked about swab test and he said they didn't have the capability. His opinion is that it looks like an "old" infection that is flaring up but I never had what I would call a full-primary infection, so this doesn't make much sense. Honestly, I am not happy about this situation and I am super stressed out now. He gave me Valtrex for 7 days. I am getting a 2nd opinion this Thursday (earliest I could get) from a different doctor. Do you have any advice or suggestions? Should I take the Valtrex prior to the 2nd opinion? If blood test is negative, what should I do? From looking at pictures online, the closest thing it looks like psoriasis.
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54 months ago
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Update. My HSV serology cam back negative for both HSV1 and HSV2 and along with my lack of prior blisters would make me doubt this is a recurrence of old infection. However original dr on phone said likely a new infection which was exact opposite of what he said in office where he was confident it was not a primary infection.
I spoke with girl and she has no rash on her fingers and no history of herpes whitlow and basically said it was impossible for her to give me anything. My head is spinning. I did start taking the Valtrex just to see if it would make a marked improvement; rash did get slightly better in color now about 2 days duration but not drastic; red area is now a little more brown, grey area is now a bit more brown, no blistering. I have seen some online pics of non-typical herpes which ‘could’ be similar to what I have but really don’t know. I still have 2nd office visit tomorrow morning with new dr and hope for more clarity. Let me know if you have any advice or precautions I should take, including future sex partners. Obviously staying away from sex until I heal.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
54 months ago
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Shame on this doctor for scaring you without assessing the situation that worried you - which is no risk to start with.
I would suggest if the rash worries you to see a dermatologist.
The negative IgG test supports the fact that this is not herpes.
The main thing here is that your contact was zero risk. Anything that happens to you now has nothing to do with this contact. Let me know how your visit goes today
Terri
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54 months ago
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Hi Terri, the visit today was much better. Dr looked at rash and her initial assessment is that this does not look like herpes but doesn’t know what it is and reserves the right to be wrong; but if a betting person should would bet not HSV. Also she agreed my scenario would be really strange to get HSV but that weird things do happen and let the tests figure out what this is. She swabbed one of the rash areas for HSV PCR analysis but forewarned me it will likely be negative just because there is no open sore to swab, even if it is HSV. She is recommending me to a dermatologist who specializes in this kind of stuff for the final call, he may take a biopsy of area for analysis. She also recommended me to stop taking Valtrex because she doesn’t think I need it.
Thank you for the reassurance. I’m awaiting the dermatologist call and I guess I will just have to be patient. Any other thoughts about just future behavior? I am going to refrain from sex until this is sorted out.... honestly, maybe joining the priesthood would be better for me; joke.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
54 months ago
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I see no reason to wait to have sex but it's your call. If the history you reported about this experience is correct, you are not at risk of an STI. But my saying this over and over doesn't seem to be enough reassurance so now, you'll have to proceed as you see best. Our conversations on this forum are complete now.
Terri
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