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Hsv likelihood?
For the past 3weeks to 1 month, I have been experiencing aching at the tip of the urethra (3/10), aching in my left testicle (4/10), and groin aching (1-2/10). These symptoms are on and off.I have checke myself for "classic" herpes symptoms but have not noticed any lesions, discharge, itching, burning, or pain during urination. It is somewhat painful to ejaculate (3/10). My last exposure would have been a month ago, which would be giving and receiving unprotected oral sex and mutual masturbation. A full panel test was negative right before all of this. A week ago I went to the clinic to get checked and the nurse said it was unlikely to be herpes. The urethral culture had no white blood cells and there were no external lesions. I was treated with azithromyacin which has helped, but not cleared all my symptoms. I have the following questions:
1) given the sexual activity (unprotected oral sex, mutual masturbation (genital-to-hand-to my genitals)) how easy is it for the hsv virus to be transmitted?
2) does this sound like HSV?
3) I've read in some places, including the CDC website, that up to 60% of people who have HSV2, but never get sores. How true is that, and how likely is it that I'm experiencing this?
4) If it isn't herpes, what can account for the redness, sensitivity?
5) I've read here that I'm expected to have an outbreak within 14 days of contraction. Is this true? Will there be sores if true?
1) given the sexual activity (unprotected oral sex, mutual masturbation (genital-to-hand-to my genitals)) how easy is it for the hsv virus to be transmitted?
2) does this sound like HSV?
3) I've read in some places, including the CDC website, that up to 60% of people who have HSV2, but never get sores. How true is that, and how likely is it that I'm experiencing this?
4) If it isn't herpes, what can account for the redness, sensitivity?
5) I've read here that I'm expected to have an outbreak within 14 days of contraction. Is this true? Will there be sores if true?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Mostly that they just don't recognize minor symptoms or they confuse HSV symptoms with something else.
Aching in the groin is not normally a symptoms of herpes.
Terri
Aching in the groin is not normally a symptoms of herpes.
Terri
Oh ok, I must have misread that or got my sources confused. Does that mean that people are often asymptomatic or just that they dont realize whats happening?
What about aching in the pelvic/groin region?
Thank you so much for your responses.
What about aching in the pelvic/groin region?
Thank you so much for your responses.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I don't think the CDC says that. What they probably say is the 60% don't recognize symptoms. Knee pain is not a sign of herpes infection.
Terri
Terri
Yes, that does. According to the CDC, 60% of infected people do not have lesions. Is this true? Is knee pain also a symptom of hsv infection?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It is true that most people who acquire herpes and have symptoms (which is not everyone), those symptoms show up within 14 days. Does that help sort out that comment?
Terri
Terri
Terri,
Thank you very much for your response. I was tested a few days before all of this happened and both hsv1 and hsv2 came back negative. I have never had a cold sore.
I am, however, curious about some of the other doctors statements made about herpes showing itself within 14 days of contraction. As I said, it's been about a month and there have been no herpetic symptoms and no lesions. Does this add to the likelihood of this being something other than herpes?
Thank you very much for your response. I was tested a few days before all of this happened and both hsv1 and hsv2 came back negative. I have never had a cold sore.
I am, however, curious about some of the other doctors statements made about herpes showing itself within 14 days of contraction. As I said, it's been about a month and there have been no herpetic symptoms and no lesions. Does this add to the likelihood of this being something other than herpes?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The sexual activity you participated in would be low risk for HSV 2 and with one encounter, low risk also for HSV 1. Have you ever in your life had a cold sore? When you say that you tested negative before all of this happened, do you know if you were tested for herpes and do you know your HSV 1 status?
Your symptoms don't sound like herpes to me, no. Redness and sensitivity in the genital area can be caused by many things, certainly not just herpes. Fungal skin infection, bacterial skin infection, irritation from friction, reactions to lotions or soaps, all could be causes.
If and when you develop any specific skin lesions, these should be evaluated by your clinician. But nothing you describe here worries me for herpes infection.
Terri
Your symptoms don't sound like herpes to me, no. Redness and sensitivity in the genital area can be caused by many things, certainly not just herpes. Fungal skin infection, bacterial skin infection, irritation from friction, reactions to lotions or soaps, all could be causes.
If and when you develop any specific skin lesions, these should be evaluated by your clinician. But nothing you describe here worries me for herpes infection.
Terri
I should note that all this initially started with a redness at the head of my penis with increased sensitivity and tingle. This lasted about a day.
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.
