Very scared, Herpes or not...

[celtic80]

Had unprotected Anal and Oral sex 24 days ago.  I have no visible blisters or sores.  I have had lower abdominal pain for a couple weeks now.  I also get random sharp pains on my penis.  This lasts for a couple seconds then goes away.  I sometimes feel like I have flu-like symptoms but may just be freaking out.  How long after exposure does it typically take for symptoms to show up, I have heard many different things.  Any information regarding this would be very helpful.  Thanks.

[gracefromHHP]

not quite sure why everyone thinks everything has to be herpes in the genital area...sigh.

honestly this isn't likely to be herpes going on. continue to follow up on things with your provider.

grace

[celtic80]

There is nothing else that I can think of that is going on.  I have been doing all this reading and research on genital herpes and I feel like I have every single symptom except visible lesions... There is definitley a burning/tingling senseation on my penis right now and I have no other clue what it could be, I am just preparing for the worst.  I am just getting myself ready to wakeup tomorrow morning and look down and see sores...Can you think of anything else?

[gracefromHHP]

pain usually occurs a day before obvious lesions.

why so obsessed that it has to be herpes going on?

grace

[celtic80]

SO it has been about 60 days and all of a sudden last night I started feeling this burning/tingling sensation on the right side of the head of my penis.  After reading through everything I am convienced it is the start to an outbreak.  I have not developed any sores, blisters, etc yet.  I went to the doctors today and basically he didnt know what it was or what to say.  He said he could be the start to herpes so he gave me Acyclovir just in case.  What are everybodys experiences before an outbreak of blisters. Does everybody have these wierd sensations?  How long for blisters to appear..? Very concerend, any input will help... thanks

[AshD409]

From my own research and personal experience, herpes lays dormant at the base of your spinal nerves. When its there the virus remains in your body but it is inactive. During this time period, you have no visible symtoms.  If you DO show symtoms, some types of bumps/blisters/sores would be present.  I actually spoke with a nurse today regarding my whole herpes issue and she said herpes is a very hard thing to pinpoint and it is so vast.  HSV-2 does not INFECT the nerves, it just simply stays there until something triggers an outbreak.  

Just because it has been 25 days doesn't mean much.  MOST people have an initial outbreak, however you could contract herpes and it may lay dormant and you may not show signs for years down the road.. who knows.  Herpes is a very tricky thing.  The most accurate test is a viral culture (from what I have heard/experienced).  You can only get a viral culture done however ONLY if there are sores present.  As for other types of testing I am not too sure.

All the best on getting this figured out!!!

[gracefromHHP]

the herpes handbook has terrific info on herpes as well as how to get tested for it - www.westoverheights.com.

grace

[celtic80]

Thank you very much for the information, I appreciate it.  I went to a local planned parenthood last week and got tested for bacterial STD's.  I have not heard anything yet.  Would you say its safe to say that I most likely did not contract genital herpes since it has been 25 days? Or is there still a good chance I can experience symptoms?

What is the most accurate test for genital herpes.  I would like to get tested to know for sure...

Thanks again..

[gracefromHHP]

nothing you've mentioned sounds like herpes going on.

because it was unprotected sex, consider following up with proper std testing. You can get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea now, syphilis in another 3 weeks and herpes and hiv 3 months post encounter.  

follow up with your provider for your abdominal pain.

grace

[celtic80]

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it.  So can you experience symptoms of herpes without having visible sores? Are you saying that HSV-2 infects the nerves and causes these types of symptoms? How about the abdominal pain? Thanks..

[AshD409]

I don't think that herpes is associated with sharp pains in the penis, if anything it would be painful on the surface of the skin.  Symptoms usually show up anywhere from 2-14 days after intial exposure.  OR- you may have became infected with HSV-2 at an earlier date and it laid dormant in your nerves until now.  I would say your best bet is to get it checked out by a Doctor.