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Sore seemingly healed that turned red and burned after sex

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Loulou34
Loulou34

I have genital herpes and recently had a "mild" outbreak (one single sore on my penis). I considered it healed more than a week ago; the sore was hardly visible, it looked more like the scar of it.

Last night I had unprotected sex and found that the sore had turned red afterward and felt a slight tingling. Today, the sore looks like it's gone again and is hardly visible. However I sort of "feel" it (tingling) although I'm wondering if it's not just in my head because I'm worried about it.

So my questions are: what is up with that sore? Is it really still active? Or could it be the friction on the scar that made it turn red?

If the sore was indeed still active, what are the chance I infected my partner? Is it common for sores to look healed while actually still be active? Is there good way to tell?

I feel really embarrassed to have exposed my partner to this since we had condoms on hand... I want to talk to her but I wish to come with a bit of information instead of just dropping that on her head and let her figure things out.

1 like, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • nelly123
    nelly123 Loulou34

    Posted

    does your partner not know about your herpes? I always say if the sore is visable even when healing it still is active, tingling certainly means that too. 
    • Loulou34
      Loulou34 nelly123

      Posted

      Thanks Nelly. The thing is I've had many sores that left a slight mark after they healed and this one was fairly similar and as I indicated, I had considered this one healed on this basis since about a week.

      I've just had a look at it again and it is a bit more visible than before with a slight red mark, but it definitely doesn't look like a sore. I'd like to know what is the "status" of such "sore" - calling it a sore even seems an inaccurate description. It is certainly not at the same stage as during outbreak.

      What is the contagiousity of a "sore" such as the one I described?

    • joseph73798
      joseph73798 Loulou34

      Posted

      Hey, Loulou, Joe here. 5-15% chance you can transmit the disease when it's not even there so when visible, even small and light pink should advise you against participation because the odds, even something small, can increase up to 75%. I've had the virus for 6 years but just found out last year and also found out I gave it to my gf without having any outbreaks and I had given it to her the 2nd time we boned. 
  • Loulou34
    Loulou34

    Posted

    Since I really was concerned and wanted to get to the bottom of this, I finally decided to see a doctor and I thought I'd share the outcome for other's future reference.

    She didn't think that this was anything to worry about and was of the opinion that the redness was due to the friction since the location was particularly favourable for this.

    That said, I'm still interested in hearing other people's experience and opinion - doctors do make mistakes...

    As a side note: at the time of being diagnosed with herpes, I actually didn't test positive to either type 1 or 2 (or any other STD's for that matter) and the diagnosis was made on the basis of the sores I had (looked at by a second doctor to confirm the opinion of the first doctor). So theoretically there is a small chance I'm dealing with something else (like syphillis for example) which I hope to eliminate with a test from a scabbing of the next flare up. But honestly, what I've been experiencing so far ressemble quite closely to Herpes.

    • nelly123
      nelly123 Loulou34

      Posted

      How long after you experienced the 'sore' did u get a blood test? They say it takes a few weeks for the antibodies to develop so maybe that is why the tests came back negotiable or infact you are dealing with something other than herpes. Maybe you should get another set of bloods done, then you will know for sure. 

      In reference to the status, I don't think there can be one particular description, from reading through these forums sounds like there are differences in what people experience. I get only one sore but it resembles more like a little round cut I don't get discharge or even a scab when it's healing 

    • Loulou34
      Loulou34 nelly123

      Posted

      Do I have to take the blood test during an outbreak or are the antibodies there all the time? I definitely would like to know for sure.

      Indeed, I've also experienced sores with no discharge and no scab. Maybe because I usually treat them very early by drying them with surgical spirit, then a cold sore cream applied as often as possible and a combination of immune system support (vitamin C, E and Zinc) as well as a Lysine rich diet (mostly cheese) and some L-Lysine supplement to keep my Lysine/Arginine ratio high.

      I've only had it for just over a year so still in the learning phase and any info is welcome.

    • nelly123
      nelly123 Loulou34

      Posted

      You can have a blood test anytime I'm sure, it's a virus it never leaves our system. What your doing sounds good, main thing is to keep your immune system strong 
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