Aa
Concerned about some symptoms
26/M .Had protected vaginal sex and unprotected oral sex with partner I trust a while back. First time in 6 years for intercourse, have had two partners previous to this. For what it’s worth, partner has no knowledge of herpes symptoms, nor has her last partner (exclusive boyfriend of 3+years).
Days 2-5: Very mild intermittent itch in pubic area (base of penis shaft and pubic area above)
Days 6-7: Become obsessed about itch, start googling and fear herpes. Start feeling itch/warmness/burning in thighs feeling. Read that that is a symptom of herpes infection. Anxiety level extremely high.
Day 8: See walk-in clinic doctor who tells me I'm obsessing over nothing. Showed small bump on penis head, he was not concerned (has not changed in three weeks since so I’m ok with it as well).
Days 9 – 15: Itching/burning feeling comes and goes, far more subtle. I am calmer.
Days 15-20: Flu-like symptoms: sore throat, coughing, runny nose, sinus pain, body aches. Normal to have a bad cold this time of year, not sure what to make of this...
Days 19-26: Gastritis-like feelings: bile-heartburn, intermittent bloating, periodic nausea.
Days 26-28: Feel fine overall, though I still get periodic itching and thigh-burning.
I have had no visual indications of herpes; no blisters or sores or anything (and I have been looking obsessively for them).
I''m looking into HSV blood testing, however I am afraid that a positive HSV1 result will leave me forever wondering if it is due to a cold sore as a child (I cannot remember if I’ve had one or not, but both my parents have, so I just don’t know), or to a recent genital infection.
I’m scared that these symptoms may be the “subtle symptoms” that people miss out on resulting in them being the X% that are infected and un-aware. I’m afraid to make sexual contact with others as a result of this.
What do you think? I need some guidance badly...
Days 2-5: Very mild intermittent itch in pubic area (base of penis shaft and pubic area above)
Days 6-7: Become obsessed about itch, start googling and fear herpes. Start feeling itch/warmness/burning in thighs feeling. Read that that is a symptom of herpes infection. Anxiety level extremely high.
Day 8: See walk-in clinic doctor who tells me I'm obsessing over nothing. Showed small bump on penis head, he was not concerned (has not changed in three weeks since so I’m ok with it as well).
Days 9 – 15: Itching/burning feeling comes and goes, far more subtle. I am calmer.
Days 15-20: Flu-like symptoms: sore throat, coughing, runny nose, sinus pain, body aches. Normal to have a bad cold this time of year, not sure what to make of this...
Days 19-26: Gastritis-like feelings: bile-heartburn, intermittent bloating, periodic nausea.
Days 26-28: Feel fine overall, though I still get periodic itching and thigh-burning.
I have had no visual indications of herpes; no blisters or sores or anything (and I have been looking obsessively for them).
I''m looking into HSV blood testing, however I am afraid that a positive HSV1 result will leave me forever wondering if it is due to a cold sore as a child (I cannot remember if I’ve had one or not, but both my parents have, so I just don’t know), or to a recent genital infection.
I’m scared that these symptoms may be the “subtle symptoms” that people miss out on resulting in them being the X% that are infected and un-aware. I’m afraid to make sexual contact with others as a result of this.
What do you think? I need some guidance badly...
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
People miss cracks and fissures in the skin, outbreaks on the buttocks, abdomen, thighs, anus or confuse symptoms with yeast infections, urinary tract infections. Truly asymptomatic infections in the person with no antibody to either HSV 1 or HSV 2 are uncommon.
Terri
Terri
In the same vein, how common is completely asymptomatic initial infection?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you for your reply, it is quite helpful and reassuring.
Beyond visible sores, what are the other symptoms that people experience but still miss? Searching the internet gives me conflicting information on the types of symptoms and their severity.
Beyond visible sores, what are the other symptoms that people experience but still miss? Searching the internet gives me conflicting information on the types of symptoms and their severity.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your symptoms don't worry me at all. If you acquired new herpes, as carefully as you are looking for symptoms, I think you would not miss them. The main reason that most infected people don't know they have herpes is NOT that they don't have symptoms, but rather that they don't recognize their symptoms as being caused by herpes. And mild itching by itself is really unlikely to be herpes.
As for testing - I think you may be correct for YOU. If you are a worrier, this may make things worse. Normally, I do encourage testing to clarify things, but in your case, maybe it would be better to leave things alone. Your sexual history of two partners (now three) is not concerning, and you are correct - if you tested HSV 1, you cannot know if the infection is oral or genital since you have no history of cold sores.
Terri
As for testing - I think you may be correct for YOU. If you are a worrier, this may make things worse. Normally, I do encourage testing to clarify things, but in your case, maybe it would be better to leave things alone. Your sexual history of two partners (now three) is not concerning, and you are correct - if you tested HSV 1, you cannot know if the infection is oral or genital since you have no history of cold sores.
Terri
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum
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.
