At Risk for Herpes?

I had what should be a low risk encounter exactly 6 full days ago.  I had my finger in a woman's vagina (no cuts on my hand), so I understand that should not be an issue for catching herpes.  But we ended up rolling around and I am sure that I rubbed up against her at various times.  While this all seems low risk based on what I have read on your site, what I have experienced since then has me very nervous.

On day 2 I had a fever that lasted a few days, on day 3 I had serious aching in my groin (though I did not have skin to skin contact there), and days 4 and 5 a burning sensation on the bottom of my testecles.  On day 4 I started to see redness around the tip of my penis that seems to be getting more obvious with each passing day (spreading all the way around, rather than faintly in one spot or another).  The redness follows the opening of the tip of my penis all the way around.  I can faintly see these rather small, skinny, long red marks around the tip, but they are hot that raised.  They are a somewhat shiny pink/red.  I suspect that I must simply wait as I am just starting on day 7 since the encounter, but I am really nervous.  The tip is not sore, and the buring sensation has been limited to my testicles, and has since gone away.

Any thoughts?  I know it is likely tough without a visual look, but any thoughts are appreciated.

Thank You.

Dan

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You can relax. First, genital herpes simply does not occur without genital intercourse--penis inside vagina, anus, or mouth.  "Rubbing up against" a person doesn't do it.  Or if it does, it is too rare to worry about; I have never seen such a case.

Second, your symptoms do not sound like those of herpes.  When initial genital herpes causes symptoms, the localized manifestations are generally more prominent than you are experiencing:  overt blisters/lesions of the penis, lymph node swelling in the groin, etc.  I have never seen a case of initial genital herpes that caused the aching/burning symptoms you describe without overt genital lesions.  It is hard to interpret the subtle redness and marks you are seeing on your penis, but they do not sound like herpes.

Most likely your symptoms are unrelated entirely to the sexual event you describe  Or, if related, it is because you caught a garden-variety virus (e.g., a respiratory infection) from her, not an STD.  If your symptoms go away and do not recur, and you do not develop typical genital lesions, you can be pretty confident you don't have herpes.  (You could be tested for HSV-2, but even if positive, I would not conclude you caught it during that event or that herpes explains your symptoms.)

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[HHH,MD]

I meant to mention that of course you should see a health care provider for a more direct opinion/diagnosis, especially assessment of the marks on your penis, if they persist or recur.  Consider a visit to your local health department STD clinic.

HHH, MD