HERPES

Unprotected Oral Sex

Dear Dr. Rob:

4 weeks ago I had unprotected oral sex (I received) with a woman. 6 days later I noticed a red circle on my penis. The next day I had 6 or 7 red circular rashes, of varying sizes, on my penis. I went to an emergency room doctor and he said it was nothing to worry about and to apply jock itch cream twice a day. It has now been nearly 17 days since I started treatment and 24 days since I first started with symptoms and there has only been minor improvement and in the last couple of days there has been some itching (there was none before). Do you think I could have been exposed to herpes?

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Dr. Rob’s Response:

Dear Man with a Rash:

It is clearly possible that you have been exposed to herpes, but the course of your lesions does not sound like herpes. I would suggest that if you are concerned, that you get a Herpes Select Test in a month or so to be sure and to continue the current therapy you are using.
 

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