Hepatitis Forums

Hepatitis C Prevention, Transmission and Testing => Am I Infected? => Topic started by: Concerned1 on June 08, 2016, 12:32:42 pm

Title: Lichen Planus, sign of infection?
Post by: Concerned1 on June 08, 2016, 12:32:42 pm

So I had sex about a week ago with a new partner. The next day I discovered an abrasion on my scrotum. Three days ago I noticed some bumps on the tip of my penis which two doctors said appears to be Lichen Planus.


Is it possible I contracted Hep C from the abrasion during sexual intercourse? I was wearing a condom but the area in question was not covered and was in a place connecting from penis to scrotum (sorry for the explicitness).


Would Lichen Planus occur this early (within 5 days) with hep c infection?


Really freaking out right now.

Title: Re: Lichen Planus, sign of infection?
Post by: lporterrn on June 08, 2016, 12:42:29 pm

There are more plausible explanations for this - hep C is not one of them. See a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Title: Re: Lichen Planus, sign of infection?
Post by: Concerned1 on June 08, 2016, 12:58:52 pm

I've got an appointment coming up in three weeks. That's the earliest my doctor can see me. Would you be able to offer some other possible explanations for this condition? Are you saying it could be the restult of an STI?

Title: Re: Lichen Planus, sign of infection?
Post by: lporterrn on June 08, 2016, 01:36:17 pm

 STI is certainly a possibility. Ask your doc's office to put you on a cancellation list - perhaps you can get in sooner.

Title: Re: Lichen Planus, sign of infection?
Post by: Concerned1 on June 08, 2016, 01:55:34 pm

Okay I'll definitely see if they can accommodate that. I was told Lichen Planus was not an STI. You're saying its a possibility? I'm even more worried now.

Title: Re: Lichen Planus, sign of infection?
Post by: lporterrn on June 08, 2016, 02:05:25 pm

I think I was confused by the "two doctors said appears to be Lichen Planus." part. Either it is or it isn't. If it is, then it is not an STI and that takes care of that. Lichen planus can appear in everyone, albeit hep C is a slightly higher risk factor.

So, if you believe your docs, then no further investigation is necessary.

Title: Re: Lichen Planus, sign of infection?
Post by: Concerned1 on June 08, 2016, 02:09:24 pm

Sorry for the confusion. To clarify I sent pictures to two doctors (one a dermatologist the other an STI specialist) who both said it "appeared" to be Lichen Planus.

Title: Re: Lichen Planus, sign of infection?
Post by: lporterrn on June 08, 2016, 02:42:51 pm

Well, those are two specialists who should know. LP is very common, and although there is a hep C connection, the situation you described is not one. However, if you have any concerns about hep C, an antibody test is easy enough to request. And because of the abrasion and subsequent symptoms, I'd want to rule out an STI, but hep C is not one I'd connect with this.

Title: Re: Lichen Planus, sign of infection?
Post by: Concerned1 on June 08, 2016, 03:27:43 pm

Thank you Ms. Porter for all the feedback.  :)