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What Causes Sores Around The Urethra And The Penis?
Question: My external urethral orifice has what appear to be tiny dot like sores on either side of the penis slit. I would say I have had these for some 15 years. One doctor simply disregarded and said it was natural. But I am thinking it may be more than this. After having sex 3 months ago, the sores kinda look more red; and I developed sores on the left side of my penis. I was thinking that maybe herpes; but I wonder if these sores can cause more sores on the shaft away from the head of penis?
Brief Answer:
Please send clinical picture
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
I understand from your query that you have been having sores around the urethra and the penis from last 15 years.
Do you have any swellings/ enlarged lymph nodes in your groin folds?
I would like to know if the sores have been persistent from 15 years or do they appear and disappear on and off?
You have a feature to upload the images by yourself at the right side of the query page, please utilize that so that I can answer your query better. You can also send the image as attachment to YYYY@YYYY , with the subject as 'Attn: Dr. Johny Chacko'.
Please revert back with the clinical picture and the additional details.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Please send clinical picture
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
I understand from your query that you have been having sores around the urethra and the penis from last 15 years.
Do you have any swellings/ enlarged lymph nodes in your groin folds?
I would like to know if the sores have been persistent from 15 years or do they appear and disappear on and off?
You have a feature to upload the images by yourself at the right side of the query page, please utilize that so that I can answer your query better. You can also send the image as attachment to YYYY@YYYY , with the subject as 'Attn: Dr. Johny Chacko'.
Please revert back with the clinical picture and the additional details.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the contact
I don't have the ability to upload a photo. Yes, these tiny dots have remained with me for some time. Sometimes they appear black in color and sometimes more red.
Because the one doctor said it was "natural" I trust that opinion.
This past April; I was having sex vaginal sex with my female partner and had to stop because I left burning on left side of penis. 2 days later it was very sensitive and 5 days later ulcers were there. Yes, my groin lymph nodes swelled. The sores have healed but I still feel a burning on left side and 2 weeks ago I noticed 4 small blisters just below head of penis. The lymph swelling is gone; but still feel burning
I don't have the ability to upload a photo. Yes, these tiny dots have remained with me for some time. Sometimes they appear black in color and sometimes more red.
Because the one doctor said it was "natural" I trust that opinion.
This past April; I was having sex vaginal sex with my female partner and had to stop because I left burning on left side of penis. 2 days later it was very sensitive and 5 days later ulcers were there. Yes, my groin lymph nodes swelled. The sores have healed but I still feel a burning on left side and 2 weeks ago I noticed 4 small blisters just below head of penis. The lymph swelling is gone; but still feel burning
Brief Answer:
? Herpes genitalis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your clarification.
From your history and description, I would consider the possibility of recurrent herpes genitalis.
It needs to be treated with a course of oral antivirals like Acyclovir or Valacyclovir. It needs to be prescribed by a GP and is not available over the counter.
If you are having more than 6 episodes per year( which I think you have, based on your history), you will have to be put on suppressive dose of the antiviral drug Acyclovir for 6 continuous months. Treatment of a single episode will not be enough.
Hope I have addressed your concerns.
Wishing you good health,
Dr. Johny Chacko
? Herpes genitalis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your clarification.
From your history and description, I would consider the possibility of recurrent herpes genitalis.
It needs to be treated with a course of oral antivirals like Acyclovir or Valacyclovir. It needs to be prescribed by a GP and is not available over the counter.
If you are having more than 6 episodes per year( which I think you have, based on your history), you will have to be put on suppressive dose of the antiviral drug Acyclovir for 6 continuous months. Treatment of a single episode will not be enough.
Hope I have addressed your concerns.
Wishing you good health,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
ok, thank is helpful but I would just like to get your comment on the possibility of Balanitis. I did some research and found some information that Balanitis often presents with tiny dots on Slit of penis gland. Also, my girlfriend of over 15 years ago mentioned once she thought she had gardenella.
These tiny dots over the years have been a uncomfortable.
I guess I am wondering if balantis could be possible to occur on the penis shaft and cause ulcers and blisters.
Also, during the month of April and May I bought a new mattress. I made the mistake of keeping the "plastic bag" it was delivered with on the mattress and simply put my bed sheets over the plastic ( I was going to be moving soon so I kept it intact). Doing this it was very hot, The heat caused by the plastic was noticeable.
Perhaps this might have caused balantis to get worse?
Sorry, I am just trying to see all possibilities and of course, herpes is not something that I would like to have...
Appreciate your understanding
Thanks
These tiny dots over the years have been a uncomfortable.
I guess I am wondering if balantis could be possible to occur on the penis shaft and cause ulcers and blisters.
Also, during the month of April and May I bought a new mattress. I made the mistake of keeping the "plastic bag" it was delivered with on the mattress and simply put my bed sheets over the plastic ( I was going to be moving soon so I kept it intact). Doing this it was very hot, The heat caused by the plastic was noticeable.
Perhaps this might have caused balantis to get worse?
Sorry, I am just trying to see all possibilities and of course, herpes is not something that I would like to have...
Appreciate your understanding
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Balanitis unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
From your description, Balanitis seems unlikely.
Balanitis is inflammation of the glans penis and this presents as reddish/ whitish patches and will very rarely cause erosions. It generally does not cause blisters.
Balanitis will not involve the shaft of the penis.
It will also not cause lymph gland swelling.
The most common cause of balanitis is candidiasis, a fungal infection caused by an yeast. This is associated with itching and not burning.
The heat caused by plastic sheet again does not seem to aggravate the problem you have described.
I understand that some patients get upset at the possibility of herpes genitalis being considered. However, with your history and description, I would still consider that.
I would also suggest that you get a blood test done to confirm Herpes the next time you get active sores associated with redness and burning.
You could get HSV 2 IgG and IgM test done. A positive IgG test indicates an old infection ( that you have had herpes at some point in your life), but a positive IgM test indicates that you are having an active herpes infection currently.
Hope this helps you.
Wishing you good health,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Balanitis unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
From your description, Balanitis seems unlikely.
Balanitis is inflammation of the glans penis and this presents as reddish/ whitish patches and will very rarely cause erosions. It generally does not cause blisters.
Balanitis will not involve the shaft of the penis.
It will also not cause lymph gland swelling.
The most common cause of balanitis is candidiasis, a fungal infection caused by an yeast. This is associated with itching and not burning.
The heat caused by plastic sheet again does not seem to aggravate the problem you have described.
I understand that some patients get upset at the possibility of herpes genitalis being considered. However, with your history and description, I would still consider that.
I would also suggest that you get a blood test done to confirm Herpes the next time you get active sores associated with redness and burning.
You could get HSV 2 IgG and IgM test done. A positive IgG test indicates an old infection ( that you have had herpes at some point in your life), but a positive IgM test indicates that you are having an active herpes infection currently.
Hope this helps you.
Wishing you good health,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Could a general CBC and Differential test give indication of herpes?
I did get CBC test done and have the results. I also the IGG and IGM tests and waiting the result.
It was just 2 days ago that the sensitivity and burning sensation disappeared; so just wondering if the CBC test would reveal that my body is fighting a bacteria or virus.
My WBC and RBC results are as follows
RBC- 5.12
WBC- 4.9
Neut- 2.6
Lymph- 1.6
Mono- 0.5
EOS- 0.2
Baso- 0.0
Neut %- 55
Lymph%- 32
mono%- 10
eoS%- 3
Baso%- 0
I did get CBC test done and have the results. I also the IGG and IGM tests and waiting the result.
It was just 2 days ago that the sensitivity and burning sensation disappeared; so just wondering if the CBC test would reveal that my body is fighting a bacteria or virus.
My WBC and RBC results are as follows
RBC- 5.12
WBC- 4.9
Neut- 2.6
Lymph- 1.6
Mono- 0.5
EOS- 0.2
Baso- 0.0
Neut %- 55
Lymph%- 32
mono%- 10
eoS%- 3
Baso%- 0
Brief Answer:
CBC cannot indicate herpes infection
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Greetings!
Complete blood count and differential count do not indicate herpes infection.
Let us wait for the IgG and Ig M tests results.
In the meantime, if you could send me a clinical picture, it would be good.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
CBC cannot indicate herpes infection
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Greetings!
Complete blood count and differential count do not indicate herpes infection.
Let us wait for the IgG and Ig M tests results.
In the meantime, if you could send me a clinical picture, it would be good.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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