Worried

[mistakesinmexico]

I made a serious error in judgment on a trip to mexico and ended up having unprotected sex. The person wasn't a random stranger and I have spoken to her since and have been reassured that she was just tested and everything came back negative. However, I have been very nervous about it lately and continuous self examinations and frantic internet searching is just leaving me with more phantom symptoms to freak out about. About 2 days after the sex, I woke up with a rash on the head of my penis and a little bit on the shaft. The rash consisted of tiny red bumps. The night before I was at a foam party in a club, and I only wore a swimsuit. The foam was very irritable when it got into my eyes and so I hoped that the rash was just from chafing and irritation from the foam. Now, it has been about 7 days since the sexual encounter and 5 since I found the rash. The rash seems to be clearing up, I can barely see it on the shaft but there are still some very small red bumps on the head and around the rim. I now have a slight burning feeling especially on the tip of my penis, but I think it might be psychological because I have anxiety problems and I've spent the better part of the last week having panic attacks and checking every inch of myself in the bathroom every chance I get. It really only seems to hurt when I'm just sitting around, and when I touch or rub it, I don't feel any pain. I'm feeling scared and alone right now and I would appreciate some sort of answers/advice. Is this just a rash that I keep irritating by looking at it or is there a chance that it is something more?
Thanks for your time.

[Esmith]

Sorry for taking so long to respond. I tested negative at about 1-2 months after possible exposure and my partner also tested negative at about 4 months after possible exposure from their last partner. Worried for nothing. Although it really taught me to be cautious, it's better not to be overly so.

[nicole31]

Esmith, what was your result?
BTW: mistakeinmexico I have the exact same symptoms as you, except around the outside of my vagina, I think I am losing my mind. I had such a severe panic attack over this the paramedics came. I had two different diagnosis from different doctors which has made it worse.

[mistakesinmexico]

Esmith, I appreciate someone who has been in my situation before. Makes me feel better not to be the only one.. I understand if its private but what exactly ended up happening with your case?

[Esmith]

I know exactly how you feel.. the anxiety attacks, frantic internet searching, phantom symptoms and constant checking. The only symptoms I can remember having were redness and burning.. No blisters that scabbed over or anything, although there was this new mottled/slightly bumpy appearance near the opening. For peace of mind I just called my planned parenthood and paid 25 dollars for a Herpeselect test, which is type specific. You should do that, too. But wait about 4 months. Good luck!

[auntiejessi]

Some people have really noticable outbreaks - others don't.  

Burning isn't a big symptom of herpes, though.

Aj

[mistakesinmexico]

Would your first outbreak of herpes sores usually be something you can barely see or would it be alot more apparent? The burning feeling is back but I don't know how much of it is in my head and how much is real.

I don't think I'd like to do either foam party again soon, the soap burned like hell when it got in my eyes and mouth and (hopefully) caused me a hell of a rash from chafing..

[auntiejessi]

Oh and the foam peanuts absorb everything, so as the night went on, and people were spilling the oh-so-fine cheap keg beer, the place began to really smell.

I think the foam soap sounds like at least it would smell better lol.

Oh the memories.  ;)

Aj

[auntiejessi]

Really, it could be either.

It sounds more typical of an allergic rash, but it could also be herpes.  Its unlikely, but possible.

Aj

[mistakesinmexico]

Haha yea, I guess both our generations have had some crazy ways to have fun.

So this rash appears to be clearing up and I think the burning feeling might have been in my head because it seems to have gone away. My question is would it be normal for someone to have an outbreak like the one I described (lots of tiny little red bumps) that never progresses to blisters or sores? Or is this likely just a rash that I just worried way too much about?

[auntiejessi]

LOL It doesn't sound any more ridiculous than dancing around a floor of foam peanuts.  ;)

[mistakesinmexico]

No, its more of an updated version of that. basically its just a dance floor with soapy foam pouring down and piling up and everyone dances in the pile of foam. it sounds ridiculous, but thats what it is..

[auntiejessi]

Is a foam party where you have all kinds of the foam peanuts everywhere and you spend the night wading through it?

If it is, I went to one in college (many moons ago), and woke up the next day with a really funky rash all over my body.  I don't think they make that stuff for events like that lol.  I went to student health, and you should have seen the doc's face when I was explaining what a foam party was lol.  Anyway, I took some benedryl and it cleared in a few days.

AJ

[gracefromHHP]

After about 48 hours there is less active virus so the odds of getting a false negative lesion culture are too high to make it worth even trying to do so.  You are better off with the baseline blood work and then repeating it in a few months or waiting for the rash to return and get a lesion culture as soon as possible then.

grace

[mistakesinmexico]

Just wondering, why would it be to late to get a lesion culture? The rash never really broke into open sores, it was also just red bumps and it still is.

[gracefromHHP]

At this point it's too late to get a good lesion culture for herpes.  That said - it really doesn't sound like it's due to herpes.  Once it clears up - if it returns see your provider but I'm guessing it was a reaction to something on vacation - foam, soap, fun in the sun etc.

If you really need to cover your bases - see your provider for a full std screening including a baseline herpes blood test.  You'll need to return and repeat the hiv and hsv testing in 3 months though to be sure of your status for both.


grace