Do I have Herpes? Take II?

Question:

About a month ago, I had a little cut on my penis that was really bothering me and a rash on my inner thighs, that was blistery and red. I went to a Dermatologist who told me it was nothing to worry about and prescribed me an ointment to apply to my penis. After a few days the rash got worse and hurt to the point that I could not walk without severe pain. The first doctor I went to told me over the phone that there was nothing to worry about and would not see me again.
I then went to a second Dermatologist who observed my rash, took a scrape and viewed it under a microscope, came back into the room 3 minutes later and told me the blisters were "Herpedic in nature." Then said you have Herpes, and prescribed me Valterex.
I went to my regular doctor on Monday, and took a blood test for all STD's and The results were negative, even for Herpes.
I have an appointment next Thursday, to get an explanation but I am wondering what you all think. Thanks

Answers:
Okay, "herpetic in nature" simply means that the rash is made from blisters. "Herpes" in Greek means "to creep" and described the creeping spread of the rash.

It is also hard to say what Dr. #2 did with the skin scraping. Typically, genital herpes is diagnosed with a "Tzanck smear" or a "Direct Fluorescent Antibody". Both take far longer than 3 minutes to process. He was probably ruling out other causes of itchy genitals, to include "jock itch"- a fungus visualized on microscopy. When he didn't see the fungus, he assumed that (common things being common) that you had herpes.

What is it really? Don't know. Blood tests are good for determining if you have ever been exposed to herpes and a negative test really helps out. Another posting mentioned false negatives- and this is always possible- especially given that you may have been recently infected.

Also on the list of possibilities- contact dermatitis (allergy to something that came into contact with your genitals- did you put neosporin on that cut?) and drug rash (an allergy to a medicine you are taking may make a rash only on your genitals- no kidding- called a 'fixed drug eruption').

Anyway, before you brand your physician as "dumb", a trial of Valtrex is never a bad option for a rash that looks like herpes. If it gets better in <5 days, that's fairly convincing.

Note: To the other person who wrote to you about dermatologists... A dermatologist is a physician (yes, an MD or a DO) who specializes in skin conditions. They have been through 4 years of medical school and 4-5 years of residency. A dermatologist is THE EXPERT on itchy and painful rashes.

durex

i would do something about that first doctor if i were you.they're not supposed to do that

A blood test can come back with a false negative. Test again. Good Luck.

Dosen't sound like herpes.You should have went to a doctor in the first place. Your symptoms don't sound like anything for a dermatologists.

Likely herpes, especially if they prescribed valtrex, as this is only prescribed for herpes as an anti viral. Unfortunately if you have caught it recently it would take 3-6 months to show up on a blood test so it is not surprising if it doesn't show yet.

Do I have Herpes? Take II?

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