Brief Answer:
Herpes is usually easy to detect visually.

Detailed Answer:
I am sorry you are having this problem. Herpes is usually pretty easy to diagnose visually. All viruses in the herpetic family of viruses make blistery appearing lesions that then usually make crusty sores until they heal. That said, we doctors can always be fooled or make errors, so the test will be helpful.

Often when an outbreak happens it follows some sort of fatigue, stress, or trauma (but not always). Perhaps the friction you are applying is creating physical stress. It can come out from sexual intercourse so it would make sense that masturbation might do it too.

Genital herpes sores usually appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals, rectum or mouth. The blisters eventually break and create painful sores which can take days to weeks to heal. Often before the lesions come out there is tingling or itching, and the area can be painful.

If you have herpes, you should of course tell your partner. You are more likely to spread the virus when having an outbreak. However, you can still spread the virus even when you have no lesions. Condoms are advised and greatly reduce the spread, but are not entirely effective as you can spread it from saliva or from areas that the condom doesn't cover - even when you have no lesions.

There are medications for herpes simplex (oral and genital herpes) which both lessen the outbreak severity and lessen the spread to others. But these antiviral medications do not cure herpes, and do not completely eliminate the risk of spreading it.

I am including pictures, although these aren't visually the best, but might give you an idea of what genital herpes looks like in a male.: http://www.medicinenet.com/image-collection/herpes_simplex_virus_type_2_picture/picture.htm

I hope this information helps. I am sorry you are having to deal with this. Medicine for it will be helpful. Please let me know if there is any further clarification or information I can provide.

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Brief Answer:
Syphilis would not happen without sexual interaction, HSV can happen but unlikely.

Detailed Answer:
First a bit about syphilis: In the first or second stages of syphilis, there are painless ulcer type sores - usually on the genitals or mouth or whatever part has made contact (1st stage) or a painless rash on the palms and soles of feet (2nd stage). Herpes on the other hand is painful and makes blisters. So I am not sure why the doctor would suggest it was possibly both unless you have 2 types of problems - sores that are painful and sores that are painless. Also, it takes around 10 - 90 days after exposure to develop the first signs of syphilis. And syphilis is a result of sexual relations (oral, genital, anal, or possibly on hands).

Herpes however, while usually from sexual activity can be from other contact as well (but this is more rare). HSV 1 usually causes cold sores on the mouth and HSV 2 usually causes genital herpes. BUT - either of these can cause the opposite. HSV 1 can sometimes cause genital herpes and might be transferred with a kiss on the mouth. And many people with HSV 2 never know that they have it - are asymptomatic - and can spread it orally.

So while being a virgin makes getting genital herpes much less likely, it is not impossible.

I don't know of statistics about how often herpes is misdiagnosed visually on physical exam. There is, however, data on false negatives/ false positives of the various lab test techniques that can be done for diagnosing STDs.

Now there is something else: vigorous masturbation can cause a penile rash that is red and some men get little bumps on the penis. Men can get this from masturbation or intercourse. Is it possible that this is what has been happening to you? While this is an irritated type of rash, it does not consist of clusters of blisters. Herpes on the other hand is blistery and the lesions are painful.

Your description of the lesions going away with giving it some rest sound less like herpes which would usually first form crusts and take days to weeks to resolve.

Hopefully the lab tests will be back sooner than 2 weeks for your peace of mind. Assuming it is negative for herpes, you may want to consider seeing a urologist about the reoccurring sores.

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