You, a 29 year old sexually active male, have discovered some small vesicles on the penis.They are fluid-filled, red, and very painful.This is the second time that you have seen this.The first time around, about 2 months ago, you saw them but managed to ignore them.The lesions went away--no doctor, no treatment.But here they are again.You think that perhaps you picked up this infection six months ago, the last time that you had sex.Identify the likely infection.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are consistent with a herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection. The fluid-filled vesicles on the penis are a classic symptom of this infection. The fact that the lesions went away on their own previously suggests a period of remission followed by recurrence, which is typical of herpes. Chlamydia, candidiasis, and syphilis do not typically present with these types of symptoms. While HSV-1 infection can also cause genital herpes, it is less common than HSV-2 for genital infections.

You, a 29 Year Old Sexually Active Male, Have Discovered