Could this be herpes

[matqc99]

Hello,

To start out with, I would like to explain my situation.

Approximately 6 weeks ago, I went to a massage parlour had protected oral sex for about 30 min. During the course of this time, she licked my scrotum for about 10 seconds before I told her I didn't want her to do that. After ejaculation, the condom seemed ok (no obvious signs of breakage or leaks), even though I didn't examine it very closely.

Two days later, I started to feel mild discomfort at the tip of my penis and in my urethrea. No burning sensation while urination, juste general discomfort, I went to see a doctor 2 days later (4 days after the initial encounter) when the symptoms seemed to get a bit worse. Again, no real pain while urinating (very slight burning some times), just general discomfort and slight pain in beween urinations. I also had frequent urination. The doctor made me take a urine test for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia, which came back negative. She also prescribed me antibiotics (Suprax and another one I forget). No discussion about herpes. The antibiotics didn't really help as the symptoms reduced a bit, but still stayed. Four weeks later, still having the urethreal symptoms, but noticing some discomfort or slight pain in the groin area (near my lymph nodes) and in my upper inner thighs (on my left side), I went back to the doctor and she prescribed some more antibiotics for 14 days saying it was probably gonorrhea, chlamydia or some other bacterial infection (she said that I may have tested too soon after exposure) and that there might have been a small break in there condom that an infection could have gone through. After almost 5 days on these new antibiotics, no effect. I have no visible sores, but am worried I could have contracted herpes.

Could this exposure be at risk for any type of herpes (type 1 or type 2) ? Could a small tear in the condom or her licking my scrotum give me herpes ? Are any of my symptoms compatible with herpes ?

Thank you in advance.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

A fungal rash on the thighs would not be confused with herpes, they don't look at all alike, and herpes would not respond to antifungal therapy.  I'm glad the urethral symptoms are getting better, that's good news.

Terri

[matqc99]

Talking about more subtle presentations of herpes. When skin symptoms are present, do they almost always have blisters or other similar pimple-like lesions ? I ask because I have an already diagnosed case of recurrent fungus infection on my inner thighs. I've had it for about 2 or 3 years and it causes a red rash in my inner thighs, causes some itchiness and lasts usually for a week or so. I have lamisil and topicort creme which work well at making it go away, but it usually lasts a week even with the creme (just much less itchy). The reason I ask is that I've been afraid recently that I might mistake herpes symptoms for this.

On a better note, the urethral symptoms I've had on and off for the last weeks seem to be starting to go away slowly. Either the antibiotics started to work or whatver I have decided to go away.

Thanks again for your knowledge.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Actually, they can be very subtle, so just keep an eye out.  Like pictures of herpes, they always show the most gross ones on the internet so lots of people miss a more subtle presentation.
Terri

[matqc99]

OK, Thank you for the advice. I'm actually pretty sure now that it was a pimple or a small ingrown hair (which I get alot of around the pubic area). But I won't squeeze them anymore and I'll talk to my doctor if I see anything ressembling molluscum contagiosum (I looked on wikipedia and that looks pretty nasty).

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

If you see any more of those flesh colored lesions, don't squeeze them and ask a clinician to look at them.  They could be something we call molluscum contagiosum, or it could be something very simple like a pimple.  A professional would be the best one to sort that out.

Terri

[matqc99]

Sorry for the double post, but there is one thing I forgot to mention, I did notice that I had one small (very small) round skin colored pimple (at least I think) much higher on my groin (about 1½ inch from the top of my penis). No itching nor redness there and when I squeezed it, a tiny bit of white sebum (again I think) came out. Nothing else around it though.

[matqc99]

First of all, thank you for your answer. This forum is very helpful.

I have never had a cold sore. So I guess, there still might be a risk for HSV-1 ? However, like I said, the licking on my scrotum was very short. Maybe 10 seconds tops and I haven't seen any skin lesions. Believe me, I've kept an eye on that area recently!

I don't have any sensations on my skin actually, the only sensations I have had are in my urethrea. Slight burning in the urethrea (discomfort) and UTI symptoms (more frequent urge to urinate, burning after urination, but no pain really while urinating). It's really hard to describe.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I can't tell you that there was no risk during your encounter, but I can say that it is very low risk indeed.  The licking of the scrotum is my only concern, and it was very short, so of not much concern.  Have you ever your life had a cold sore on your lip?  If yes, then it is even more unlikely that you would get HSV 1 genitally from this person who gave you oral sex.  

I'm not clear what' going on with your skin sensations, but I do know that the antibiotics that you've taken sound like more than enough to take care of any bacterial infections you might have gotten, though I think that is completely unlikely.  

So is it correct that right now you have discomfort in the urethra and general discomfort?  Can you be any more specific?

Terri