What Causes Painful Sores And Ulcers While Treating Herpes?

Posted on Tue, 13 Oct 2015

Question: Dr i had genitalulcer 3 wks exp, also had herpes sore at11 wks and 2 verytiny mouth sore at 14wks, i tested 7, 10,14 wks 4th gen, hivandstd, whatcouldcause that

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Genial herpes and syphilis can cause this.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for asking HCM.

I have gone through your query. Genital herpes can gives sores and ulcers which will be painful. Syphilis can give painless ulcer like appearance. As you have done HIV 4th gen test at 14 weeks you are almost safe from HIV.
Syphilis tests can give false negatives. So i recommend taking doxycycline for 1 week to be on safe side.

Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (23 minutes later)

But i tested for syphilis at 14 weeks post exposure too dr, is it still possible it was false neg for syphilis?

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
After 14 weeks false negatives are rare.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for your follow up query. False negatives are rare after 14 weeks. False negatives are more common before 6 weeks. Anyhow it is better to go for a week therapy with doxycycline to be on safe side.

Let me know if anything not clear. I am happy to help you.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (13 minutes later)

Although i think it wasnt really a ulcer maybe it was just a cut at the side of the penis head that i had done when i did m.b, then after 2 weeks when i did m.b and let the semen dry up, didnt change underwear the next day i found it kinda red and raw i put neosporin cream and went away

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Ulcer like lesion in syphilis also disappear by its own.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.

Thank you for your follow up.

Ulcer like lesion in syphilis also disappear by its own. But the bacteria can be still present and it may reactivate as secondary syphilis. This secondary infection can be within 1 year or after that.

So my recommendation is have a week doxycycline therapy. Avoid soaps and irritants to wash the genital area. You can use saline or warm water for this.

Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (58 minutes later)

But it was painful dr, is it still syphilis?

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Lesion of syphilis are typically painless.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.

Thank you for your follow up.

Primary lesions of syphilis are typically painless. If painful then syphilis is most unlikely and it can be from herpes or eczema. Herpes usually doesn't need any specific treatment. Only symptomatic treatment is enough.

Let me know if anything not clear. I am happy o help you.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (13 minutes later)

I do have a history of eczema but i didnt have it down there

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Then it can be possibly eczema.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.

Thank you for your follow up.

Then it can be possibly eczema. Aloe vera gel or corticosteroid creams like hydrocortisone will be helpful for this.

Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (15 minutes later)

Ok thank you dr

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
You are welcome.

Let me know if you have any further queries.
I am happy to help you.
Thanks.

Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj