Is it Herpes?

[washedout]

About 3 weeks ago I engaged in protected sex with a girl who had genital hsv-1. Since then in the past couple of days I have experienced some bumps around my anus one of which I pushed on very hard and puss came out of. It is slightly painful and kind of burning feeling but that could also be from squeezing the area. I have uploaded some pictures below. I would just like to know if this is consistent with herpes and whether hsv-1 would be likely for a straight male to get around his anus?

[Terri Warren]

these lesions are concerning to me. It is always hard to tell what’s going on with just a picture, but I would strongly suggest that you have these lesions swab tested for herpes, and today if possible, or at least have someone evaluate them in person. the sooner you do it the better and more accurate the testing will be.

Please let me know how it goes.

PCR is far more sensitive than culture if it is possible to get it.

Terri

[washedout]

I know that I have tested positive for HSV-1 in the past. a culture will be able to tell if the actual lesion is herpes and the type? What is the difference between that an PCR?

[Terri Warren]

A culture is a test that grows herpes virus. A PCR is a gene amplification technique that identifies even a small piece of herpes genetic material, far more sensitive but both are done from a lesion with a swab.

Yes, if the clinician asks for typing, it should be done and would separate HSV 1 from HSV 2.

Terri

[washedout]

I visited with my Doctor today who looked at the area and told me that this could be herpes or folliculitis and that he is leaning towards folliculitis. The next day after I posted the pictures to this site, the area was already dried up, so I never had any opened sores. I remember also that before this picture I was picking at the area and that I also had wiped in-between my legs with a towel relatively hard and some skin had come off the area. Either way he did a culture so now I am awaiting my results, even though he said there was no real open lesion or area to swab. Wouldn’t herpes lesions last longer than a day? I wasn’t really in much pain from it, as I ran a 5k on that saturday before. All in all I would say that the bump was there for 5 days tops. Also I know that a girl that I had sex with has HSV-1 genitally, but we have always used protection and I know that I also have tested positive for HSV-1 oral. Wouldn’t the likelihood of me contracting the virus in two places be slim to none? I guess I am just very confused and at this point feeling hopeless, if this is herpes then I am done dating forever.

[paranoid]

Sorry to “interrupt” here – I just want to say that I have had something that looks like this before, when I’ve had a mosquito/spider bite and scratched too hard, it kinda looks like this after. Also, this kind of looks like a bed bug bite (I’m not expert though). Did you sleep in any new beds or a hotel??

[washedout]

I haven’t slept in any new beds, so I don’t think that it’s bed bugs, but I suppose anything is possible.

[longdistpatient]

are you sure those arent just marks from your finger nails when you squeezed it?

[washedout]

Also here is some updated pics, the first one was after shower and wiping area with towel. Second, after applying peroxide to the area after about an hour later. And third, the next day when I woke up.

[washedout]

Here

[Terri Warren]

As I said before, these lesions are concerning to me. I’m glad you had them swab tested.

And there were only two pictures, both concerning to me re: herpes.

Yes it is unlikely that you would contract HSV 1 genitally after you have it orally, correct. Have you had an antibody test for HSV 2 as well as HSV 1?

Terri

[washedout]

Yes I’ve been tested for both. There is also a new spot they I noticed as well posted below

[Terri Warren]

That one looks far less herpetic

Terri

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