Burning sensation in my left testicle

[ml1209]

A tingling and burning has developed in the area of my left testicle about 23 days ago. In the first few days there was a redness on the skin of my scrotum, but no lesions or sores developed. Eight days after the initial sensation I went to an STD clinic and had a nurse examine me. He said it did not look like Herpes (which is what I suspected). He thought I had no more than underwear rash. Two weeks later, with the sensations persisting, I returned to the same clinic for another exam, this time with a different nurse. He, too, said there was nothing unsual on my skin. But with my claims to a burning sensation, he admitted to being stumped. They both prescibed Benaydryl or a similar cream. (Which I did not apply because I wanted to "wait it out").

My suspected exposure to herpes was four weeks ago. Since then I did a full STD panel, including a herpes blood/antibody test. Everything came back negative, including the herpes test.

Yesterday, I went back to the lab for another herpes blood test (which is at the four week mark after exposure). I am still awaiting the results.

During this whole period there has never been any lesions or sores. I checked myself almost every evening, and the visual inspection did not match what I was feeling, namely the skin looked normal. The sensations seem to emanate from one particular spot on my left testicle - a burning (or a "coolness").

My research on the web about herpes, and my calls to the CDC hotline gave me varying information. Websites say a herpes outbreak can have no visble signs. But some CDC personnel say on the phone that a tingling and burning will indicate an onset of sores or lesions from between 8-72 hours.

Let me add what my exposure was like: I had vaginal intercourse with a latex condom, and did not perform oral or had oral sex performed on me. At no time did I have unprotected intercourse.

With my pending results from the second herpes blood test, my question is this:

Can this still be herpes, or do my symptoms point to something else?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

If the repeat blood test for herpes is negative, which I expect it to be, then I think you can set aside concern for that diagnosis.  The information you got from the CDC is correct: please note that, "tingling and burning will indicate an onset of sores or lesions from between 8-72 hours."  You haven't had sores or lesions.

Your symptoms point to fear of herpes, not to herpes or to any other disease I can think of.  Once the new test rules herpes out, you ought to ignore the symptom, which will likely fade away on its own in time.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[ml1209]

The blood test came back negative. Or specifically, the antibody count for HSV-2 was 0.13, with 1.00-1.10 being equivocal, and 1.10+ being positive.

The test was done four weeks after potential exposure. I will test myself again after a total of 12 weeks after potential exposure.

So, given these test results, should I breathe easy now?

Thank you.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Yes, I think you should.

Dr. Rockoff