Herpes Scare

[indyhawk]

After having an encounter with a girl 10 days ago I've been freaked out at the possibility of having herpes. I don't have any sores but I do a burning sensation in my buttocks,underneath my testicles, and in the area between my anus and testicles. The burning sensation has gone on for about 8 of those days now, and it seems to be spreading. I got tested for clymetia and ghonerreia and both came back negative. This encounter was very brief, after less than a minute I decided I didn't want to have sex with her after all. Beforehand I asked her if she was clean and she assured me she was. At this point I don't know if I'm psyching myself into thinking I have it and imaging symptoms or if I really have it. Yesterday morning it hurt a little when I peed but today it didn't hurt anymore. I have no sores, or pains on my penis but in areas as mentioned before. I got a herpes test yesterday. The doctor insisted it wasn't necessary because he really didn't think something was wrong, but I insisted for my own peace of mind. Since the incident I haven't been able to eat, I've been feeling weak and basically feel like I have the flu. I don't know if this is because of stress or because of the herpes. The flu like feeling has gone on for ten days now and I just don't feel like myself. Any advice? Does it sound like herpes? If not what else could cause my buttocks and underneath my testicles and groins burn like that? For awhile they were just feeling cold to the touch and now its more of a burning feeling. I was thinking it was a possibility I had crabs so I used a pubic lice shampoo would that irriate this skin? I also made the mistake of using the same towel after using the lice shampoo as I did later in the week for normal showers? any help would be great. If I don't have any lesions or marks down there after 10 days am I in the clear? Thanks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Personal testimony about individual cases is the worst possible basis for medical decision making.  estrellab's experience really isn't relevant, and his or her situation--recurrent unexplained symptoms, apparently for many years--is very different than yours.  There is nothing in your story suspicious for herpes - as I said above, if you were to have a positive blood test for HSV, it would mean you have an asymptomatic HSV infection plus something else.

[estrellab]

I don't mean to sound neg but it does sound like herpes to me. I was thinking I had it for yrs and told no way, looks fine, culture, even though all there was to culture was a skin tear, and was neg. Finally got a herpes select and yes, my suspicion was correct, hsv 2 pos. Trust your gut. I am going to take another test because I really don't want to believe it. Trust me.

[indyhawk]

Thank you so much, that helps. Really the only symptoms I might have is the burning in my groin area. It seems to be spreading a little bit, but that might be because I've been showering 4 or 5 times a day and its just getting irritated from washing the area so often. Thanks again for all your help. It helps a lot to know that anxiety might be playing a major factor in all of this.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Of course nobody can say you didn't catch herpes from any single sexual encounter.  However, your symptoms are not those of herpes. If you caught it, you have an asymptomatic HSV infection plus something else--most likely anxiety, nothing more.  For even more security, ask your partner if she has genital herpes and if she had any genital sores at the time of your adventures with her.  If not, your risks are even lower.  And yes, public lice shampoos can be irritating, but using the same towel probably wouldn't make any difference.

In other words, your doctor was exactly right.  Be on the lookout for genital blisters or sores, but if you don't get them, forget herpes.

Good luck--  HHH, MD