Does this look like herpes?

Posted , 2 users are following.

Please help me ID this, i'll go to the doctor asap but it's a bit hard to get an appointment during the holidays. Pic attached. Other info: Recently had intercourse but also traveled a bunch (lots of exposure to germs, public restrooms, etc).

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Posted

    Sorry, here's the picture.

    Also some more details: Peeing started to hurt, I went to a walk-in clinic and got antibiotics for it. Also got something that has made me cough a lot, like some sort of pneumonia infection, nothing like the flu just dry coughs with phlegm, probably unrelated.

  • Posted

    They look to be healing already, so swab testing is not going to be possible by the time you get an appointment. You'll need to do the IgG test at 3 months instead. IgM test for herpes is worthless, no matter what your doctor tells you. You can Google that yourself.

    During sex, was the area with the two lesions protected or unprotected? Did they ever blister, turn into ulcers, feel sore, itch? Your best bet is still to test for HSV IgG at 3 months, though.

    • Posted

      Unprotected, did not blister i think they just turned into tiny ulcers, in the pic the ulcers are covered by scabs, they feel sore but not much, probably because they are small, it's like a stinging sensation. I showered and the scab fell off and the ulcer still there though, which makes me worry a bit because they do not seem to be making much progress towards healing, the borders keep looking red.

      I am pretty much convinced that it is herpes by now, but do you know if there's any chance of it not being herpes? I know i'll take the test in 3 months but not knowing kind of kills you a little bit inside. And how long could it last like this before it heals? I have not had new sores, so i think it settled at 2, they appeared around a week ago a bit smaller and grew to that size and they've stayed that size for some days now.

    • Posted

      Hmmm, the timing, ulceration, stinging and scabbing do sound suspiciously like herpes.. Are you able to see a doctor or go to PP asap to get swabbed? Might be too late for a viral culture to detect anything now, but you could still try. A pcr swab would be much better, but time is still of the essence, otherwise you really do have to wait up to 2-3 months for the IgG test. Usually they say 3 months is conclusive, but 2 months should be a good indicator, then you can retest at 3 months to be sure (if 2 months was negative). Again, avoid IgM testing. Did you speak to the woman about this, by any chance? Did you also receive oral sex from her?
    • Posted

      thank for your help. I'll try to get tested asap and come back with the diagnosis once i do. I did speak with the woman about this, and i did receive oral sex from her. What precautions should i take to not infect other people? And do i need to take precautions with the woman that might have infected me if we have sexual relations again? (if we are both infected, would it no matter? for instance). It's hard to find resources to educate myself on all this, most links i find seem to be opinions or shallow of information. Information about living with herpes would be really useful.

      other symptoms i've noticed is soreness on a few muscles around my thighs, and it burns when i climax from masturbation (as much as peeing), but this pain from peeing has been diminishing and it's almost over, guess it's healing. Is there any more serious STD i may want get tested for?

      again, thank you so much 

    • Posted

      If it is HSV1, you don't have to do much. Avoiding sex during outbreaks and using condoms should be adequate. Outbreaks see typically rare. If it is HSV2, however, you need to do the same and should also consider taking daily suppressive therapy for sex with negative partners. Male to female transmission is more common, and carriers are more infectious when newly/recently infected (up to a year). No special precautions are required with the person who gave it to you, if you indeed have it, although take care not to infect other body parts before full antibody production (4 months). Having said that, any other body parts, if also infected, would normally be infected at the time of initial infection. Just being extra cautious. Other STDs? Just do a full panel for peace of mind.

    • Posted

      gHSV1 outbreaks after the first one are (not see!) typically rare, maybe once a year, if that, for most people.

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