[Lazarus]

Thanks Terri.

If I could ask one more question: What other STDs or other conditions might cause the tingling sensation at the same time as outbreaks on the penis glans? This is what made me think I have HSV.

The nerve tingles were very obvious and very distinct. I have only had them twice – and on both occasions I had an outbreak. This can’t really be coincidence, especially as the first one occurred a few days after I’d had unprotected sex.

Although no blisters were present, I understand symptoms can manifest as a painful cut instead. This was like a very sharp paper cut (so painful it was difficult to retract the foreskin).

The second outbreak, I had very obvious red (but painless) sores on the tip of the penis (again, at the same time as the tingles). Every outbreak since has been a milder version of this – a few red rashes appear on the penis glans without any apparent obvious cause such as friction etc. I don’t get the tingles any more.

I may have been a bit misleading in terms of how long the red rahses last. I have known them to disappear after just a few hours but more typically it’s probably between 12-48 hours and they slowly fade (although sometimes vanish completely when I bathe).

I was surprised when you said that you had virtually never seen anyone with an outbreak just on the head of their penis and not on the shaft. I understand most outbreaks in men do occur on the glans. Perhaps with me it is quite mild. From what I’ve read there seem to be a range of different symptoms, so I can’t think that the absence of lesions on the shaft would automatically rule our herpes.

Thanks for your suggestion for the Western Blot test but I don’t think it’s practical as I live abroad.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 3 months ago by Lazarus.

[Lazarus]

Thanks. I have never been diagnosed, but I think I do probably have it.

The first outbreak occurred four days after having unprotected sex with a stranger (incredibly stupid, I know). It wasn’t a blister, but it felt very painful under the foreskin, so I think it was probably a small cut instead. At the same time I had this, I also had the tell-tale tingling sensation. With the help of some lemon balm, the outbreak cleared up after just a few days so I didn’t get it checked out as I should have done.

About two months later I felt the nerves tingling again, and sure enough I had another outbreak – but this time it was just a cluster of painless red rashes on the tip of my penis. I did get these swabbed after a couple of days, but too late I think as the test came back negative. I haven’t had the prodrome since, but similar red rashes suddenly appear (always on the tip of my penis and always painless) and then disappear quite quickly (sometimes in a few hours). Strangely, they sometimes disappear when I bathe. I am sure these are recurrent HSV outbreaks and not caused by friction from sex etc (I am abstaining at the moment!).

It is difficult for me to get tested because I’m not in the US and they don’t do blood tests for herpes here. The only way to get it done is if you go to a private clinic and it’s very expensive – and I’ve heard they are not 100% reliable in any case. I suppose I could get another swab done as soon as the red rashes appear, but they vanish very quickly.

Is it true that the virus will normally travel the same route if you always have outbreaks in the same place? If this is the case, condoms should really help in preventing me transmitting the virus (this is my main concern now as the HSV isn’t causing me any pain). If it’s only present in the penis then it would be some reassurance that I can substantially reduce the risk of passing it to a future partner.

By the way, does the fact that my tingling prodrome has stopped mean anything other than the virus has become less effective now my immune system has learnt to tackle it?

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