Is The Irritating Sore On Penis Herpes Or Syphilis?

Posted on Thu, 24 Jul 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 24 Jul 2014 Answered on

Thu, 14 Aug 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I am afraid I have an std such as herpes or syphilis. I woke up this morning and noticed a small sore on my penis. It is irritating to the touch. I attached photos. What do you think this could be?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Lesions looks like GenitalHerpes simplex infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
This time the pictures sent by you reveals multiple grouped lesions on a erythematous base over genitals and more localized. This is likely to be due to Herpes lesions. It is definitely not fit with Syphilis. Herpes type 1 infection on genitals, is more common with oral sex,as I told you earlier. You had protected vaginal sex. So HIV/Syphilis are unlikely.
Nothing to worry. Herpes easily treatable, not a life threatening one. Recurrence is the nuisance. Otherwise nothing to bother about.
DR S.,Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (6 minutes later)

These photos i took are from today. I have had unprotected sex within the last year. I thought herpes came more in the form of a cluster of blisters? This one was not in a group. Just a single sore. I dont remember seeing a blister. I just woke up abd saw this cut on the penis and it does not look normal

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
More likely to be Herpes simplex infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome once again.

Blisters might be missed to be seen.
I am able to see there are multiple tiny spots ( grouped ulcers) over an inflamed area.It is no doubt to be a Herpes simplex lesions as I have seen lot of cases without blisters in my 30 Years of STD practice.
Consult your Dermatologist. He will give appropriate anti-viral drugs. Get well soon.
Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar