[Question #9566] Genital Herpes?

31 months ago

Hello Doctors, thank-you for providing this service... I'm a 40 year old male that's been in a monogamous relationship for about 2 years... I noticed a small bump/sore (not sure what to call it) on the shaft of my penis on Jan 7th, a day after having sex with my girlfriend. The bump is not painful, doesn't appear to be a blister or filled with any fluid and is a bit sensitive to touch...

I'm HSV1 positive (had cold sores since I was a child) and when I took a HSV2 blood test in 2021 the results were negative. Unfortunately, I do have sensitive skin and allergies. Sometimes I suffer from lichen planus on my penis. Ever since the bump appeared I've been applying Fluocinonide and Vaseline on it but it doesn't appear to be going away.

Considering all of this do you think the bump I have is a sign of genital herpes? Is it possible that my girlfriend could have given me genital herpes? I haven't seen her STD results as yet

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

31 months ago

This doesn't really sound like herpes to me - normally, herpes would first be a blister, then ulcerate, then scab. You aren't describing any of that and I sounds like you've been with this partner for two years, which covers the time period during which you had the negative IgG test. If the bump changes and starts to go through any of the stages above, you may wish to have it evaluated in person. Do you know if your girlfriend was tested for HSV as well, or have you just not seen her actual results?

Terri

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31 months ago

Thanks for your response Ms. Warren... I don't know if she was tested for HSV. I'd have to encourage her to get tested and take a look at her actual results... I'm hoping it's not genital herpes; as of now I don't notice any blistering, ulcerating or scabbing. I'm wondering if it's folliculitis although I'm not sure if folliculitis appears on the shaft of the penis

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

31 months ago

Folliculitis on the shaft of the penis is less common than other areas, yes, but I certainly have seen it there as well.

Terri

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