Aa
concerned about herpes
Hi,
About 5 weeks ago I believe I received oral sex from a woman I did not know. The reason I say I believe is I was really intoxicated and blacked out a bit that night. Within a few days of the event I had felt nausious, lack of appetite (I have lost 12 lbs in the last month), feverish (but don't thnk I had a fever), and could not sleep. I have also periodically felt lower back pain/heat and tingling in lower right leg. I have no clue if these things mean anything? Those symtpoms have improved but I have had burning/sensitivity in the tip of my penis for 5 weeks now. I have been tested for stds twice with the last time being around 3 weeks after the event. Everything came back negative except for hsv 1. The problem I have is I have no clue if I have been hsv1 positive for years. I have not seen blisters, no burn when I pee, no swollen lymph nodes. I do feel a constant urge to urinate. My gp gave me cipro for prostatitis and I have been taking it for a little over two weeks now but the pain in my penis has not improved. Lastly, I did test positive for h pylori. Does pain/burn in your penis for 5 weeks sound like herpes? Please help I'm mentally breaking down at this point.
About 5 weeks ago I believe I received oral sex from a woman I did not know. The reason I say I believe is I was really intoxicated and blacked out a bit that night. Within a few days of the event I had felt nausious, lack of appetite (I have lost 12 lbs in the last month), feverish (but don't thnk I had a fever), and could not sleep. I have also periodically felt lower back pain/heat and tingling in lower right leg. I have no clue if these things mean anything? Those symtpoms have improved but I have had burning/sensitivity in the tip of my penis for 5 weeks now. I have been tested for stds twice with the last time being around 3 weeks after the event. Everything came back negative except for hsv 1. The problem I have is I have no clue if I have been hsv1 positive for years. I have not seen blisters, no burn when I pee, no swollen lymph nodes. I do feel a constant urge to urinate. My gp gave me cipro for prostatitis and I have been taking it for a little over two weeks now but the pain in my penis has not improved. Lastly, I did test positive for h pylori. Does pain/burn in your penis for 5 weeks sound like herpes? Please help I'm mentally breaking down at this point.
That makes a lot of sense. I just don't think the pain in my penis tip, shooting pain last night is anxiety. It is real and I just read forums of people having similiar pain/burn for months/years And attribute it to herpes. Its hard to believe herpes would cause this especially w ithout a breakout. Last question is how often do people that have contracted herpes show some symptoms- flu stuff, burning tip, etc without getting blisters? Is it either asymptomatic or not? Thanks
This actually raises a pretty interesting point about human nature, and about who comes to online forums.
People have sexual experiences they regret and that create anxiety. The physical symptoms of anxiety are often focused in the genital area -- typically various combinations of penile pain, uncomfortable urination, lower abdominal or testicular pain, etc; or in women, genital itching, burning, and so on. These folks naturally assume various STDs. On this forum you'll see mostly herpes fears. On the STD forum, they are more often worried about gonorrhea, chlamdia, etc , and of course on the HIV forum they're worried it's somehow an HIV infection.
On top of all this, in the US up to 50% and 15-20% of the population have positive blood tests for HSV1 and HSV2, respectively. Therefore, many of those with these unexplained symptoms have positive blood tests for HSV1 or 2. Obviously, this doesn't mean that herpes is the cause of the symptoms, it's just a chance association. Except in rare circumstances, the positive test does not explain the symptoms; the person has a) asymptomatic herpes plus b) the unexplained (probably emotional) symptoms that brought them to the forum.
Therefore, your observation about the frequency of such symptoms on this forum (and other online sites) does not imply that many of those people actually have herpes that the advisers on this forum -- or their own doctors, or actual herpes/STD experts -- somehow cannot recognize or understand. Even when the blood test is positive, it almost always does NOT mean the problem has been diagnosed.
So none of this is a "weird coincidence" at all. And also remember that forums like this attract people with such symptoms. After a potentially risky exposure, the vast majority of humans don't worry so much and don't experience symptoms of these kinds. Only a small minority (2%? 1%? A tenth of a percent?) of people with potentially risky exposures come to forums like this. Collectively, you are a vocal but small minority!
People have sexual experiences they regret and that create anxiety. The physical symptoms of anxiety are often focused in the genital area -- typically various combinations of penile pain, uncomfortable urination, lower abdominal or testicular pain, etc; or in women, genital itching, burning, and so on. These folks naturally assume various STDs. On this forum you'll see mostly herpes fears. On the STD forum, they are more often worried about gonorrhea, chlamdia, etc , and of course on the HIV forum they're worried it's somehow an HIV infection.
On top of all this, in the US up to 50% and 15-20% of the population have positive blood tests for HSV1 and HSV2, respectively. Therefore, many of those with these unexplained symptoms have positive blood tests for HSV1 or 2. Obviously, this doesn't mean that herpes is the cause of the symptoms, it's just a chance association. Except in rare circumstances, the positive test does not explain the symptoms; the person has a) asymptomatic herpes plus b) the unexplained (probably emotional) symptoms that brought them to the forum.
Therefore, your observation about the frequency of such symptoms on this forum (and other online sites) does not imply that many of those people actually have herpes that the advisers on this forum -- or their own doctors, or actual herpes/STD experts -- somehow cannot recognize or understand. Even when the blood test is positive, it almost always does NOT mean the problem has been diagnosed.
So none of this is a "weird coincidence" at all. And also remember that forums like this attract people with such symptoms. After a potentially risky exposure, the vast majority of humans don't worry so much and don't experience symptoms of these kinds. Only a small minority (2%? 1%? A tenth of a percent?) of people with potentially risky exposures come to forums like this. Collectively, you are a vocal but small minority!
In reading through this forum I'm amazed on how many people talk about getting sick post an encounter, having a burning penis for longer than the typical herpes primary period, and don't have a breakout. The consensus seems to be its not herpes especially if you only test positive for hsv1. It just seems like a weird coincidence that this stuff would happen right after a sexual encounter and its all anxiety or in your head? Any thoughts?
Im sorry that you have so much worry. From what I have seen on the net and doing my own research the first outbreak could last up to 6 weeks but usually last 2-3 weeks For hsv2. hsv1 is less and even less active when in the genitals. This is first symptoms sores back to fully heald. So 6 weeks of just symptoms no sores is defantily unusual. But im no dr. Did you ever thank its in your head ? Worries stress anxiety fear or something eals? I know you can worrie your sealf sick. (Literally) hsv1 is not commonly on the genitals. You probably had it just like most people have it. The odds that you dont have it are with you. Give your worries to god and pry for yourself to find peace. Ill pray for you also.
Going on week 6 of burning tip of penis? Any thoughts does a initial herpes outbreak last this long? No blisters or lesions.
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
