Are These Herpes Symptoms

I had unprotected sex about 6 weeks ago. The next day I had some minor pain inside the tip of my penis. I got tested for Chlamydia, Gon and Herpes on the 7th day which came back negative. The Dr did give me antibiotics to take and I did. 4 pills of one and one pill of another. I took these all at once and then again a week later.  At the start of the second week the pain goes away in my penis and I start getting a heat/burning sensation in my scrotum and it turns red. Then the next week the inside of my thighs and buttocks gets a burning sensation. None of this was painful, just annoying. During the fourth week it started to go away, and during the 5th week the redness was gone and so was the heat/burning sensation. During this time I had no fever, but my mid body area was warm. I did get an ache at the base of my skull like a stiff neck (stress I had expected). No other symptoms. I wondered if it was a reaction to the antibiotics. Is this herpes or something else?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I doubt that this was herpes.  Nothing that you describe, without any skin lesions, sounds like herpes by itself.  It's possible that you had a fungal infection in the groin, with the redness and burning and red scrotum.  Was it also itching?  I'm so glad that your symptoms are gone now.

As to whether you have herpes or not - that might be a separate question.  You could have herpes and not know it, you could have had herpes for years and didn't know it.  There are antibody tests to find out if you have herpes, sometimes if the answer is positive and it is a low positive, it can be confusing.  Have you ever had a herpes test that you know of?

Terri

[avalon12]

Terri,

Thank you for your response. I have followed your comments on this forum and I find your balance between good advice and caring for the patient refreshing.

Let me answer your questions and add some information.

No there was no itching, just a burning or heat sensation. I had a herpes 2 test seven days after exposure. This came back negative. I realize this is too early to test for the recent unprotected sex episode but it does show I didn't have herpes before.

I have recently had some discomfort above the penis, in the pubic hair region. A mild ache, which hurts more if I push on it. I can't tell for sure but the pain might be coming from the cords to the testicles. Is this an indication of anything? Any infection possibly?

Lastly, if I did have a fungal infection, is it possible that it cleared up on its own? All I have done is taken antibiotics for Chlamydia and Gon.

How would you suggest I proceed?

Thank you for your caring.

Avalon12

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I suggest that you do nothing at all unless you get a skin lesion (blister, ulcer) that looks completely different to you from anything that you have had in the past.  If you do, then you should go and have swab testing done, preferably PCR, from the lesion.

Yes, a fungal could certainly go away on its own, I think probably most do.  

The discomfort that you are feeling does not sounds like herpes, no.

In 16 weeks from the exposure, you could get a type specific antibody test done, if you are still worried.

Until then, enjoy the lovely summer.  If you are still worrying a lot, try setting aside 15 minutes each morning to worry.  If the worries pop into your head at other times, remind yourself that you have worry time set aside each morning, and that you are going to save your worries until then.  Stick with it.  Many people find it helpful.

Terri

[avalon12]

Thank you. I will take your advice and take this encounter as a lesson learned

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

sounds like a plan to me.

terri

[avalon12]

Terri,

Just wanted you to know, this past week the pain along my public hair line got worse and I went to have it checked out. The Dr. thinks I have Epididymitis. I was given 250 mg of rocephin and ten days worth of levofloxacin. In 24 hours the pain was gone and I am starting to finally feel back to normal after 6 weeks of various symptoms. I assume the burning I felt in my scrotum and inner thighs was due to this infection. Just curious why the earlier antibiotics of suprax and azithromycin didn't take care of this infection. In any case, I would expect I can go back to have unprotected sex with my regular partner after the 10 days of  levofloxacin. Thank you for your guidance.

[avalon12]

Terri, more FYI, I had a herpes test done at 6 weeks, I know its early but I wanted to see if there was any movement form before. This came back negative yesterday.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I'm so glad you found something to deal with this pain.  I am also very surprised that the previous antibiotics did not take care of the problem, but at least it is now taken care of!  and i'm so pleased that your HSV test also came back negative at 6 weeks.  sounds like things are looking up for you.

terri