[Question #8730] No risk but symptoms

40 months ago

Hey,

Not sure wether to post this as general STI advise or Herpes hope I do this right. I have picked STI as I’m not sure what’s causing this although I think the likelies cause is herpes.

I have become to rely on this site a lot recently as I have had a recent encounter and now loads of symptoms that to me are alarming. I have read on numerous posts on here my activity was no risk. So how come the symptoms ?

My encounter was mutual masterbation with another male. We did swap hands around a fair bit (so this is how, I guess your no risk statement comes from not swapping hands and keeping solo)

5 days after I got a red mark on my penis shaft it’s the lower part of my penis shaft so low down it’s in the pubic region I do have hairs grow on my shaft. It was slightly painful and itchy but not too much.

I squeezed it and it popped white goo bleed a bit, Cleaned up and it’s now ulcerated with a moist look to it.

I have today woke up with a fever, chills, muscle aches, runny nose, headache.

I have an appointment in two days at the GUM but hoping for some quicker advise, what do do and how to manage this.

Feel really unlucky right now. I guess this is Herpes of some kind? But could it be anything else? STI related or otherwise.

40 months ago

Can I just confirm for the reader we never kissed, we never touched genital together.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

40 months ago

Welcome to our Forum. Thanks for your question. In this case, either category is probably appropriate.

Let me start by confirming what your own research has shown. Mutual masturbation is a NO RISK activity. This is the case even though it is usual in such circumstances for partners to get each others' genital sections on one another. STIs are not transmitted in this way- even with transfer of genital secretions from person to person on each others hands.

The lesion you describe is a great description of folliculitis which is a common, non-STI occurrence in the pubic region and around the upper legs. This sounds quite different from herpes.

I suspect your flu-like symptoms are due to an entirely different process. In this day and age, the most common cause of your fever, chills and muscle aches is influenza, COVID-19, or any of a long list of other viral illnesses. There is NO risk here for any STI, including both herpes and HIV. EWH

---

40 months ago

Wow, that’s quite conclusive then!

Felt sure I had Herpes seems impossible now! Thank you so much doctor.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

40 months ago

I’m pleased I could help. Stay safe. EWH---

40 months ago

Dr Hook.

Sorry to return. Just wondering if this changes anything (doubt it but may as well ask)

The red mark is now a lot more swollen and red. It’s painful to touch and can be uncomfortable without been touched but this is with tight boxers on not when it’s just hanging free.

I can’t help squeezing and proding it (I know i shouldn’t but it’s one of them things)

I have been able to squeeze some pus out (white) for a respite and comfort.

It seems to have a very red head that looks quite wet.

Just checking this still sounds more like follicitus rather than Herpes (I’ll pay again and ask Terri if you rather)

But from what I can gather from collating info here.

1) herpes is soft squishy - this is not it’s hard

2) herpes doesn't have puss in it

3) herpes if very painful and not just when touching it.

4) herpes is normally more than one blister.

So it’s pretty safe to assume this red spot isn’t herpes.

I’m not ignoring your advise I’m not concerned around the mutual masterbation just wondering if this is onset from a previous encounter.

I cancled my appointment at the GUM.

Is herpes pretty distinct as in it is always a cluster of water blisters (or at least one water blister) and painful

Or can it be hard to diagnose because it can present like mine?

When I canclled the GUM clinic they was happy to cancel as they didn’t seem to think my description fitted herpes as well as no risk which is reassuring (this was before it got worse) but of course you read internet and you can find sites that describe it just like I have.

Thanks for reading thanks for your time.

40 months ago

Oh I do still have the flu and cold symptoms.

Do you think all in all it’s safe to have sex with my wife?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

40 months ago

Welcome back to the Forum. I'm sorry your symptoms persist. The continuing symptoms you describe still sound nothing like herpes. Had it been herpes, the red mark would have quickly evolved of become small "water blisters" filled with clear material, not the pus that you describe. I worry however that your squeezing of the lesions may have spread the infection to cause a bacterial, non-STI skin infection called cellulitis which will need antibiotics to cure it. Please seek evaluation by a trained clinician to evaluate this. My sense that this is not herpes remains but I do think this should be seen.

I would not worry that you have an STI which you might transmit to your wife. EWH

---

40 months ago

Thanks doctor,

I’ll do that. I have started to keep my hands of it and applying sudocream (antiseptic cream) in the mean time before I get an app. Do you think this is a good idea?

It seems to have scabbed over this morning maybe it’s healing I will keep my hands off.

Just because your an STI expert just tie up a few lose ends.

Can you just add comments to this:

1) not herpes dosnt sound at all like herpes nothing to worry about and my latest encounter was no risk.

2) not syphillis too close to encounter to appear 5 days after and no risk for syphillis too?

3) not genital warts, I guess again not typical for a wart, again too close. I have seen a picture of a “wart” that looks like a spot so maybe?. My last encounter before this was Christmas. Again this was mutual masabation nothing other than my wife at all other than this. So safe to assume I’m not at risk for warts?

Thanks

Edward W. Hook M.D.

40 months ago

The anti-septic cream will do no harm and might help but the best thing you can do is keep your hands off the sore area. As for your follow up questions:

1. As I said before, nothing you’ve described sounds in anyway typical of herpes. I would not be concerned about herpes.

2. Correct. In addition, what you’ve described sounds nothing like Syphilis either.

3. Same answer as for one and two above.

As I trust you know, we provide up to three responses to each clients questions. This is my third and therefore final response. This thread will be closed shortly without further responses. It is time for you to stop worrying about STI’s and get this taken care of. EWH

---