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Herpes Scare
Im a married Male, 30s who stupidly after many years of monogamy received unprotected oral from a stranger. I was so drunk it took until the next afternoon for me to sober up and have a panic attack about STDs, turning to the net for research. I have thought of nothing else since, just fear, anxiety and guilt have been at the forefront of my mind.
After 4 days I went to the STI clinic who could see my nervous state and did tests for gonorrhea, hiv, syphilis and Chlamydia (all negative).
After 1 week I started to feel little pokes in legs, not painful, just there. They’re random and moved around in my bum & thighs (sides, back, front). Soon the sensations affect my calves and feet & toes also and progress into pains, not excruciating, but noticeable. Then lower back hurts. I then start to feel peculiar electric shock feelings in my calves, clothes or bed sheets irritate my skin. I also feel random pin
At 5 and a half weeks I have STI tests again (all negative) but they wont test for herpes unless I have lesions which I don’t. STI doctor explains that I could not get herpes type2 from oral. And Since ive had lip cold sores earlier in life type1 genital wont happen. She told me to move on and seek therapy.
At 10 weeks I went to another Dr for a blood test, he talked me out of it and suggested therapy also.
Its now 12 weeks after the incident and the leg feelings continue, but no lesions. Up to this point I have felt so many sensations ranging from pokes, stabbing, tightness, cramping, spasms, burning, numbness and more. Most of these aren’t constant, they last a few seconds to a few minutes, but there is almost always a feeling somewhere. This week I even feel sensitivity in my arms. I don’t know what to think anymore and ive read everything in the archives. I have been on anti-anxiety pills for the last few weeks which helped for a little but my concerns stand. I will be getting therapy soon, but I can’t help but feel I have herpes because of these damn pains.
After 4 days I went to the STI clinic who could see my nervous state and did tests for gonorrhea, hiv, syphilis and Chlamydia (all negative).
After 1 week I started to feel little pokes in legs, not painful, just there. They’re random and moved around in my bum & thighs (sides, back, front). Soon the sensations affect my calves and feet & toes also and progress into pains, not excruciating, but noticeable. Then lower back hurts. I then start to feel peculiar electric shock feelings in my calves, clothes or bed sheets irritate my skin. I also feel random pin
At 5 and a half weeks I have STI tests again (all negative) but they wont test for herpes unless I have lesions which I don’t. STI doctor explains that I could not get herpes type2 from oral. And Since ive had lip cold sores earlier in life type1 genital wont happen. She told me to move on and seek therapy.
At 10 weeks I went to another Dr for a blood test, he talked me out of it and suggested therapy also.
Its now 12 weeks after the incident and the leg feelings continue, but no lesions. Up to this point I have felt so many sensations ranging from pokes, stabbing, tightness, cramping, spasms, burning, numbness and more. Most of these aren’t constant, they last a few seconds to a few minutes, but there is almost always a feeling somewhere. This week I even feel sensitivity in my arms. I don’t know what to think anymore and ive read everything in the archives. I have been on anti-anxiety pills for the last few weeks which helped for a little but my concerns stand. I will be getting therapy soon, but I can’t help but feel I have herpes because of these damn pains.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Such symptoms are especially unlikely with a primary HSV infection; most claims about such prolonged symptoms come from people with longstanding recurrent herpes. I believe there is no chance that herpes lesions will appear. You need to start looking to other causes for your symptoms; it isn't herpes.
Thanks again, final Q's. I don't mean to make you repeat yourself but I came here 'cause I truly value your professional opinion, so just to clarify. In your opinion and experience, extended weeks of leg pain cannot be a herpes primary outbreak? Do you think there is a chance these pains will stop and then a lesion will appear?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Those simply are not reliable reports. Such beliefs by patients are common but simply not supported by any data. Trust me on this: you did not catch herpes. Re-read my comments above.
From all you have said so far, the advice you have had from the SHC ("STI clinic") sounds right. If you visit the Sydney SHC, do not expect to hear anything different than you have already had.
From all you have said so far, the advice you have had from the SHC ("STI clinic") sounds right. If you visit the Sydney SHC, do not expect to hear anything different than you have already had.
thanks for the reply. I'm not in a major city but frequent Sydney on business regularly so will seek out more advise.
What remains a concern is the many sites/forums where people with genital herpes complain of neurological pains that last weeks/months/years. The symptoms they claim are so similar to mine its frightening. I am certain what I feel is nerve related.
What remains a concern is the many sites/forums where people with genital herpes complain of neurological pains that last weeks/months/years. The symptoms they claim are so similar to mine its frightening. I am certain what I feel is nerve related.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum. I'll try to help. Bottom line: Almost certainly you acquired neither herpes nor any other STD from the oral sex event. Herpes does not cause the symptoms you describe.
Since you're from Australia, I assume that "STI clinic" means one of your country's excellent sexual health centres. Collectively, your SHCs are probably the world's best network of STD/HIV clinics, and if you're in a major metropolitan area -- e.g. Sydney or Melbourne -- you have been to the best of the best. There is not a thing about STDs that I know any better than they do.
You were correctly informed that HSV-2 is not acquired by oral sex. There may be rare transmissions of HSV-2 from mouth to genitals, but for practical purposes the only risk is for HSV-1. You also were correctly informed that since you have had oral herpes, you are immune to a new HSV-1 infection. So on these grounds alone, herpes is not a feasible explanation for your symptoms.
Finally, as I'm sure you were also told by one or more of the professionals you have seen, whether at the SHC or elsewhere, herpes does not cause symptoms like you describe. Lists of herpes symptoms, see such things as thingling, numbness, "tightness", or other aches and pains in various parts of the body. However, such lists usually do not make clear that these things do NOT occur with herpes in the absence of standard herpes outbreaks, i.e. blisters, sores, etc. A herpes outbreak may tingle or burn, and some outbreaks are preceded for 1-2 days by localized neurological symptoms (called a "prodrome") like tingling, burning, etc. But that's all. Finally, herpes symptoms never are continuous; they last a few days, then go away entirely until the next outbreak, and outbreaks never happen more often than every 6 weeks or so.
For all these reasons, I agree with the advice you have had; and I trust their expertise in herpes. I also would not recommend HSV testing in this circumstance. If you do it, the results might be more confusing than helpful. If negative, it will simply confirm what we already know, i.e. that your symptoms aren't herpetic. And if positive, it will mean you have asymptomatic herpes plus another explanation for your symptoms. So what's the point?
The advice to "move on and seek therapy" suggests your SHC provider believes your symptoms are psychogenic, perhaps reflecting genitally focused anxiety -- which is quite common after sexual exposures about which patients feel regret, shame or guilt. Here too I am in agreement.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Since you're from Australia, I assume that "STI clinic" means one of your country's excellent sexual health centres. Collectively, your SHCs are probably the world's best network of STD/HIV clinics, and if you're in a major metropolitan area -- e.g. Sydney or Melbourne -- you have been to the best of the best. There is not a thing about STDs that I know any better than they do.
You were correctly informed that HSV-2 is not acquired by oral sex. There may be rare transmissions of HSV-2 from mouth to genitals, but for practical purposes the only risk is for HSV-1. You also were correctly informed that since you have had oral herpes, you are immune to a new HSV-1 infection. So on these grounds alone, herpes is not a feasible explanation for your symptoms.
Finally, as I'm sure you were also told by one or more of the professionals you have seen, whether at the SHC or elsewhere, herpes does not cause symptoms like you describe. Lists of herpes symptoms, see such things as thingling, numbness, "tightness", or other aches and pains in various parts of the body. However, such lists usually do not make clear that these things do NOT occur with herpes in the absence of standard herpes outbreaks, i.e. blisters, sores, etc. A herpes outbreak may tingle or burn, and some outbreaks are preceded for 1-2 days by localized neurological symptoms (called a "prodrome") like tingling, burning, etc. But that's all. Finally, herpes symptoms never are continuous; they last a few days, then go away entirely until the next outbreak, and outbreaks never happen more often than every 6 weeks or so.
For all these reasons, I agree with the advice you have had; and I trust their expertise in herpes. I also would not recommend HSV testing in this circumstance. If you do it, the results might be more confusing than helpful. If negative, it will simply confirm what we already know, i.e. that your symptoms aren't herpetic. And if positive, it will mean you have asymptomatic herpes plus another explanation for your symptoms. So what's the point?
The advice to "move on and seek therapy" suggests your SHC provider believes your symptoms are psychogenic, perhaps reflecting genitally focused anxiety -- which is quite common after sexual exposures about which patients feel regret, shame or guilt. Here too I am in agreement.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs 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.
