Aa
A lot of anxiety about herpes
Hello. I just joined this forum to hopefully find help or guidance. I had protected sex with a partner four times in a week about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I used a condom each time, even for some oral sex. This person said she has had two sex partners before me, I have had one. I am a 30 year old male. I was extra concerned learning that her previous partner sounded like he got around a bit. Also, when we had sex, each time lasted about 1 hr, so I'm worried that more time might mean a better chance of exposure. This person had what she described as razor burn, as well. But after looking at all of the pictures online (thousands by now) I could interpret it as herpes or razor burn. But I trust this person.
After having sex for a few days, I went to the health dept, scared out of my mind because I had some irritation around my inner thighs, next to my testicles. I expressed my concern to the dr about herpes, but she said it was most likely yeast infection or jock itch. She prescribed a cream which I used.
Now, no more itching, but yesterday, about 2/12 weeks from the last time I had sex with this person, I noticed two small (maybe the size of an up arrow on the keyboard) pinkish areas that had some flaking skin on top of them on the shaft of my penis. When I stretch the area of skin around one of the pinkish small areas, I see what appears to be three very very small, flatish bumps situated very close together. I noticed them yesterday after work. They have not changed. The appear flesh colored. I took a photo to show myself, but it looks a lot worse in the photo, I guess because of the flash. The only other thing I noticed is a brownish discoloration around my penis about 1/4 inch wide and 1 inch long. Neither of these things are sensitive if touched. There is no itching or pain either for either of them. It does not burn when I urinate. I had some heel pain the last couple days, but my job requires walking several miles a day, which I'm not used to.
I hardly ever look at my penis and evaluate things so closely, so maybe the second thing I mentioned is normal. Also, not to be crude but the two pinkish marks might be described by me masturbating with a sock, which I never do. Also, at the same time we had sex, I started a very physical job that requires a ton of walking, which I am not used to, which is complicating things, I think.
Within this time, I had a very small amount of itching around the penis (maybe 2--4 days ago, and the itching might be where the pinkish circular raw looking marks were). I'm concerned again it might be the beginning of primary infection of herpes. But I have not had a fever (that I noticed), and no pain in my genitals. itching is non existent now, and I don't see any blister looking things at this time, as I those very tiny looking bumps have not gotten bigger and they are very small, so small that if I asked a dr. to look, they would likely not notice.
I have pretty bad anxiety about my health, which really is putting strain on me. I saw one of the symptoms of a primary outbreak is sometimes headaches and I had a few very slight sensations of a headache a few times in the last week. If someone takes the time to read this, thank you. I'm sorry for it being so long.
and I just saw this listed"Cracked, raw, or red areas around your genitals without pain, itching, or tingling" as a possible symptom, so now I'm more concerned.
After having sex for a few days, I went to the health dept, scared out of my mind because I had some irritation around my inner thighs, next to my testicles. I expressed my concern to the dr about herpes, but she said it was most likely yeast infection or jock itch. She prescribed a cream which I used.
Now, no more itching, but yesterday, about 2/12 weeks from the last time I had sex with this person, I noticed two small (maybe the size of an up arrow on the keyboard) pinkish areas that had some flaking skin on top of them on the shaft of my penis. When I stretch the area of skin around one of the pinkish small areas, I see what appears to be three very very small, flatish bumps situated very close together. I noticed them yesterday after work. They have not changed. The appear flesh colored. I took a photo to show myself, but it looks a lot worse in the photo, I guess because of the flash. The only other thing I noticed is a brownish discoloration around my penis about 1/4 inch wide and 1 inch long. Neither of these things are sensitive if touched. There is no itching or pain either for either of them. It does not burn when I urinate. I had some heel pain the last couple days, but my job requires walking several miles a day, which I'm not used to.
I hardly ever look at my penis and evaluate things so closely, so maybe the second thing I mentioned is normal. Also, not to be crude but the two pinkish marks might be described by me masturbating with a sock, which I never do. Also, at the same time we had sex, I started a very physical job that requires a ton of walking, which I am not used to, which is complicating things, I think.
Within this time, I had a very small amount of itching around the penis (maybe 2--4 days ago, and the itching might be where the pinkish circular raw looking marks were). I'm concerned again it might be the beginning of primary infection of herpes. But I have not had a fever (that I noticed), and no pain in my genitals. itching is non existent now, and I don't see any blister looking things at this time, as I those very tiny looking bumps have not gotten bigger and they are very small, so small that if I asked a dr. to look, they would likely not notice.
I have pretty bad anxiety about my health, which really is putting strain on me. I saw one of the symptoms of a primary outbreak is sometimes headaches and I had a few very slight sensations of a headache a few times in the last week. If someone takes the time to read this, thank you. I'm sorry for it being so long.
and I just saw this listed"Cracked, raw, or red areas around your genitals without pain, itching, or tingling" as a possible symptom, so now I'm more concerned.
Ok, as an update. I did a igG test for HSV 1 and 2 at the 7 week level. Both came back negative. I figured for sure I had type 1, but I guess not.
I understand that the recommended time for final testing is 12-16 weeks (which I will do in another two months), but I've read that this is good news and I think about 70% accurate at this point? I've since calmed down and I think am being more rational. I have not had any obvious lesions or real symptoms that couldn't be explained logically. I just figured I'd update and thank the previous contributors again for posting.
I understand that the recommended time for final testing is 12-16 weeks (which I will do in another two months), but I've read that this is good news and I think about 70% accurate at this point? I've since calmed down and I think am being more rational. I have not had any obvious lesions or real symptoms that couldn't be explained logically. I just figured I'd update and thank the previous contributors again for posting.
And yes, I made another account for another question I had yesterday, which is embarrassing. I'm sorry if it broke the rules or something.
I know I'm updateing a lot., but the thing popped after I was looking at it again, stretching the skin. the pus stuff looks beige color I guess (though one might call it light yellow?) It's very thick too. It didn't run at all, just kind of popped, and leaked out into a small glob on top of the previous blister thing. I know this sounds gross, but I read the urine makes herpes sting, so I urinated and put significant amount of urine directly on it and no pain at all. Could this be herpes?
Additionally, I found a pimple looking bump on my penis today after work. It looks like it has a whitish head. No pain or itching. I'm super freaked out about it, because this is an actual bump. I've taken photos, I really really really don't know what to do about this. I can't take more time off to go to the dr. It's been about a month and two days since my last possible exposure. Can someone please give me advice whether this could be herpes?
also, the cut/scratch is maybe a tiny bit itchy and a couple times a day for the last three or so days I have felt a short prickling or stinging sensation from there maybe once or twice a day.
and the latest update is a papercut looking scratch behind/under my scrotum. it's about a 1/4" at the longest I think. I think the many hours I spent reading about manifestations of herpes has hindered my rationality, but I feel more relaxed now. It has been 1 month since the last possible date of transmission. I don't know how likely it is that a single scratch/cut would happen as the result of a primary infection, but I saw also that cuts can be caused by fungal infections. If anyone has anything to contribute, that would be appreciated. Also, I don't know if the user Grace is still active here, but if so, her expertise would be appreciated.
Hello all again, I just had a small update. I truely don't know if I'm being reasonable anymore or not. I had a slight slight slight feeling of ache in my tailbone just a couple days after having sex with that woman. I do still have it, but it seems more noticeable. I read some people have pain in that area if infected, and my skin in that area seemed bruised since yesterday. But then again, it could be a result of my positioning myself in a bit of an uncomfortable position in the mirror for examining myself a couple times. \
I have a little bump on the middle of my penis, top side, that I believe is newish (it seemed it felt a bit irritated feeling when I first noticed it), and basically I noticed a couple pimple looking things on my inner and out hip. My skin is pretty bad, so this could just be pimples. No pain, no itching, everything is quite small and singular, not being clustered. However a few days ago I noticed several red places on my penis head together. Seemed to look a little bit like a couple very tiny bumps and a couple scaly/rough skin looking places. No feeling, even if rubbed. As a matter of fact I just rubbed a bit of alcohol over them and still felt nothing. I think they have been there since the 10th, so a few days at least.
That's pretty much it. Again, before this I have never actually looked at my penis for any great length of time, so this may not be abnormal.
Unfortunately I can't really take time off to go to the dr at the moment, but if I saw something conclusive like a fluid blister or cluster then I would have to go get medicine. Anyway, thank you anyone for reading this and thanks to the previous posters. I hope I can have a conclusive post about my negative status in however long it takes for a blood test, which is at least two more months I guess.
I have a little bump on the middle of my penis, top side, that I believe is newish (it seemed it felt a bit irritated feeling when I first noticed it), and basically I noticed a couple pimple looking things on my inner and out hip. My skin is pretty bad, so this could just be pimples. No pain, no itching, everything is quite small and singular, not being clustered. However a few days ago I noticed several red places on my penis head together. Seemed to look a little bit like a couple very tiny bumps and a couple scaly/rough skin looking places. No feeling, even if rubbed. As a matter of fact I just rubbed a bit of alcohol over them and still felt nothing. I think they have been there since the 10th, so a few days at least.
That's pretty much it. Again, before this I have never actually looked at my penis for any great length of time, so this may not be abnormal.
Unfortunately I can't really take time off to go to the dr at the moment, but if I saw something conclusive like a fluid blister or cluster then I would have to go get medicine. Anyway, thank you anyone for reading this and thanks to the previous posters. I hope I can have a conclusive post about my negative status in however long it takes for a blood test, which is at least two more months I guess.
thank you both for the comments. I know it is not the end of the world, whatever happens. It's just that it would be a great inconvienience for me, and I would feel worse because I have only been with two people. I don't attach a stigma to other people who have it, but it's just something that I never anticipated as being a possibility for me.
As an update. Those two pinkish marks on my penis still have a covering of skin over them. And today I came in from work to do a thorough check of my penis (as is my new daily custom due to anxiety) and saw a small little bump that I think was whitish and some tiny amount of liquid or maybe pus came out, without me even trying to pop it. It was a single bump, very small. I don't know what it could be. I literally have not examined my penis ever before, so that might be some pimple kind of thing. No itching, no pain, no burning. Hopefully it is a pimple or something natural.
Anyone who is affected by herpes, please don't be offended or hurt at my posts. I don't think badly of people who do have herpes, it's just something I don't want to deal with. atypical, that is interesting what you mention about hsv 1 and 2.
As an update. Those two pinkish marks on my penis still have a covering of skin over them. And today I came in from work to do a thorough check of my penis (as is my new daily custom due to anxiety) and saw a small little bump that I think was whitish and some tiny amount of liquid or maybe pus came out, without me even trying to pop it. It was a single bump, very small. I don't know what it could be. I literally have not examined my penis ever before, so that might be some pimple kind of thing. No itching, no pain, no burning. Hopefully it is a pimple or something natural.
Anyone who is affected by herpes, please don't be offended or hurt at my posts. I don't think badly of people who do have herpes, it's just something I don't want to deal with. atypical, that is interesting what you mention about hsv 1 and 2.
Most people strive for monogamy. Most people don't manage that over the course of their entire life.
Monogamous people also get HSV.
People of all faiths get HSV.
I agree with you that people become overly hysterical and anxious and upset about HSV infection. I certainly was upset. You really put it into perspective when you learn more about it. And for most people, the symptoms end up being very little to worry about.
Strangely, it is HSV1 that has a higher incidence of complications, because of its proximity to eyes and brain. HSV2 actually has a much lower incidence of significant medical issues. For most people, they would never even know they have HSV2.
Monogamous people also get HSV.
People of all faiths get HSV.
I agree with you that people become overly hysterical and anxious and upset about HSV infection. I certainly was upset. You really put it into perspective when you learn more about it. And for most people, the symptoms end up being very little to worry about.
Strangely, it is HSV1 that has a higher incidence of complications, because of its proximity to eyes and brain. HSV2 actually has a much lower incidence of significant medical issues. For most people, they would never even know they have HSV2.
I really do not understand all this noise about herpes. It will not kill you, you can still have healthy children, the inconvenience is low to mild and you can manage the break outs. So..... If you do not want any infection then abstain. No matter how careful you are you could still contract Hsv by only mere contact and kissing. As was advised by fleetwood20 monogamy is it and that's the preaching of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for the comment. I am an anxious person, so I just need to prepare better in the future to prevent this kind of situation. Monogamy is my kind of relationship, so I think your advice is right on. Again, I appreciate the comment.
There is no reason at all to suspect what you describe (for both of you) is herpes at all.
Some people are anxious about STDs and if this is you, then the answer is pretty straightforward. Both of you could commit to a monogamous relationships and mutually test for STDs including HSV. This will give you confidence to proceed with full knowledge.
Some people are anxious about STDs and if this is you, then the answer is pretty straightforward. Both of you could commit to a monogamous relationships and mutually test for STDs including HSV. This will give you confidence to proceed with full knowledge.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
