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STDs  (Expert Forum)
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SCARED
Answered by
H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. -
University of Washington Seattle - WA
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.

IMPORTANT

This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum

Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
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MedHelp Member's Question

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by ConcernedFella, Feb 15, 2005 12:00AM
Last Friday I had intercourse with a girl that I had dated/slept with in the past(about 8 months ago)Anyway, we had sex twice that night, both times I used a condom. I didn't shower until the next day. During that shower I made sure I washed my genitals thoroughly, using the soaps that i normally use (dove and neutrogena).  Throughout that day, I noticed I was starting to develop an itching sensation on my scrotum (sides, underneath, and base of shaft, no syptoms on the penis itself). As the day progressed I noticed more of an itching/irritated sensation. I called the girl, told her what was goin on, but she told me that I have nothing to be worried about since she was just tested about three weeks before. She didn't say what specific tests she had but I would assume if anything had alarmed her, she would have told me. The itching sensation persisted throughout the next day (Sunday). Then on Monday, I noticed the itching had moved from my scrotum to the perineum area near my anus.  I have inspected my entire groin, finding nothing other than a slight red irritation on the skin.  There are no raised bumps. I have OCD so of course this is all i can think about.  I went to an urgent care & the P.A. felt it was just Dermatitis.  I told him I was nervous that it might be herpes.  He said he didn't think it was.  I am just so very nervous about this.  Should I be worried this is herpes? Could it just be a mild case of herpes? I am still itching and I am praying it's just irritated skin. But, I know two symptoms of herpes are itching and burning.  I am really freakin out about it.
Doctor's Answer

by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Feb 15, 2005 12:00AM
Your description sounds like tinea cruris (jock itch), in which case its onset after the sexual event you describe is coincidental.  Alternatively, if your partner had used a medicated douche or genital deodorant, you might be having an allergic reaction; or perhaps allergy to latex or to condom lubricant, especially if it contained the spermicide nonoxynol 9.  In any case, it sounds like dermatitis of some sort, not herpes or any other STD.  Most likely the physician assistant got it right.  I wouldn't lose any sleep over this.  If the symptoms persist, try one of the OTC products for jock itch.



Best wishes--  HHH, MD
Member Comments (8)

by jonny254, Feb 15, 2005 12:00AM
Iam not a doctor by any means but i doubt u have anything to worry about. From what I understand symptoms of STD's do not show up as early as the next day. Another point is that itchiness in the scrotum is common amoung men..... i think, i mean i have days where my scrotum seems to be itchy too.... if you dont have any blisters or anything dont worry about it!!!

Good Luck

by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Feb 15, 2005 12:00AM
That's right; such rapid onset is against herpes or any other STD.  I meant to mention it.  Thanks jonny254.



HHH, MD

by Dlux, Feb 15, 2005 12:00AM
I thought I'd post a comment on this question because I just went to the doctor (per Dr. H's advice to go see one) to check out a problem I was very concerned was maybe herpes. A quick review: I had initially a bump about the size of a dime high up on my inner thigh (next to my scrotum) which was red for the first day and is now skin colored...it's hard too...anyway, when the doctor saw it and felt it he said it is probably just a cyst. Then he checked out the red rashlike line (rash that I noticed a day after the bump that was right in the crease between the groin and thigh, and said it was just some kind of bacterial infection and was going to give me an antibiotic for it but decided in the end it wasn't even really needed because it would go away on its own...the rash by the way did sting  the first day I noticed it but not really at all the next day even though it's still there...So in the end, his opinion was that it was NOT herpes at all and the chances of it being herpes was very slim. He said he's seen lots of cases and that if it was herpes you would know because of the blisters, lesions, etc. I haven't had any fever, burning when urinating, discharge of the penis etc...Oh and by the way I told him about Dr. H's concern about the red line extending from the red bump and my Doctor said Dr. H was probably concerned about some kind of thyroid problem or something like that, I don't remember the exact medical terminology he used. So anyway, I am VERY nerotic myself, have anxiety quite badly and worry a LOT...I do wonder, since I have read up on herpes symptoms and outbreaks, just how mild an outbreak can be where you might not notice herpes at first...my doctor seemed to think that if it were herpes you would at least have some blisters, sores somehow somewhere.



Thanks, I'm hoping Dr.H and anyone else can give me some feedback here.

by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Feb 16, 2005 12:00AM
The red line was a concern because it often means lymphangitis, spread of infection along a lymph duct--which can be followed quickly by systemic infection ("blood poisoning").



Your doctor is wrong about herpes.  Most people infected with HSV-2 notice nothing wrong.  If such persons then look carefully after their attention is raised--for example, when an asymptomatic person learns his or her blood test is positive--many persons will then recognize mild lesions that previously were ignored or forgotten.  But many people are truly asymptomatic.  But even those persons periodically reactivate the virus (asymptomatic shedding), at which times they can infect their sex partners.



HHH, MD

by Dlux, Feb 17, 2005 12:00AM
O.K. Dr.H I'm in some serious need of advice then...what should I do from here, should I go back to my Primary Care doctor or someone else? I told you about the rash I initially had but has now gone away after having it for maybe 2-3days. I have actually been itching a bit down in my groin area, mostly scrotum and creases between legs and groin but also on my hands, legs, sometimes back and shoulders...I'm wondering if it could be that I've been taking much more showers than I usually do because I've been keeping my groin clean and hydrated for my HPV cream treatment, so my skin has been very dry, I even have some redness on top of my left hand and cracking skin...wondering if my groin rash