Question:
About 10 days ago, I had unprotected sex with my girlfriend. During the sex she complained of pain, and went to see her doctor the next day. The doctor told her that she thought it could be herpes and prescribed medication to both of us (saying for me it was just for prevention).

Soon after I noticed small pimple like bumps in my pubic area. There are less then a dozen of them and all spread out between my leg and my lower stomach (none on my penis, or even too close to it). I immediately started researching Herpes and found a lot of things that would make it sound like I have it (and some that make it seem unlikely):

- The bumps are small and pimple like.
- They went from looking like pimples to scabbing, NO liquid came out of them.
- I have NO discomfort whatsoever. No itching, no pain.
- I have no marks on my penis
- I did have a 24 hour flu soon after noticing the bumps (low fever, vomiting, headache).
- I did have unprotected sexual relations with my girlfriend who seems to have herpes.
- I seem to have a little bit of discharge from my penis (although extrememly minimal)

Now I went to my doctor and he said it is absolutely not herpes, but just a rash. However he made a couple of comments that made me think, maybe he didn't know what he was talking about. For example, he said that Genital Herpes always presents itself on the penis (I know this is untrue). He prescribed me an antibiotic cream to put on my sores, and said I have nothing to worry about. So far the cream has done nothing, but I have only been using it for 24 hours.

My questions:

- Should I trust my doctor, even though I feel strongly he is probably wrong?
- If it were to be herpes, is there anything I should be doing right now that could help? Considering I have no pain anyway.
- I have never had a rash like this before, is it possible all of these things (flu, unprotected sex etc.) could just be one big coincidence?
- I am driving myself crazy about worrying about this? Should I just sit back and wait to see if it comes back again?

I have about a million questions, like I am sure all of you did at the beginning, but I better stop!

It is really great there is all this support out there for people who need. My heartfelt thanks goes out to all those people who take the time to listen to others.

Thank you,

J.

Answer:
Hey there....

if you have any doubt at all, go back to your doctor and demand he do a culture on the sores. Or to your local health clinic. Although, if you have been putting antibiotic lotions on the sores, the tests may come back inconclusive. Also, if it were just a rash, the lotion should have already started working. (after 24 hours.) you should have seen a difference.

The symptoms DO sound a bit like herpes (herpes reacts differently in everybody.) But it could all be coincidental too. (the pimple like things, the fever, etc.)

Perhaps you are having a reaction to the medication given to you by the girlfriends doctor FOR the herpes (which, if it was an antiviral, I commend her doctor for being savvy enough to give it to you too! Studies are finding that people who take an antiviral within 72 hours of exposure have less of a chance of contracting herpes. ) Find out for sure what she had you take.

Has your girlfriend come back definitely positive yet. Did they do a culture on her?


All in all, I would get a second opinion. I will keep my fingers crossed you are in the clear, but if you are not, you are right that there is a network of people here to support you and try to help. I commend you for coming to this site to seek information.

Fingers crossed,
ouch.