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Herpes or something else?
Hi Doctor,
About 10 days ago I was with a girl who is HSV-2 positive, but she did not have any lesions present for 2 months prior, nor does she have any now. We did not have sex but the underside of the shaft of my penis was directly in contact with her for a few minutes. I washed about an hour later, but now I am concerned.
Since then I've developed a burning sensation under my foreskin on the top left side, that started a few days ago. It is on the skin just below the head of the penis (part of the underside of the foreskin). It is slightly red and tender to the touch. It feels as though the skin is dry and irritated, but applying moisturizer hasn't helped. I have examined the area many times and there are no bumps or lesions (even small ones). When I pull the skin back though, it is slightly reddish and it seems as if the capillaries are a little redder than normal (but I don't really have a basis for comparison). It has now been 3-4 days and I have not seen any lesions develop. I also do not have any other symptoms of HSV (i.e. burning during urination, tingling, lesions, fever, aches, etc.).
The area became more irritated after masturbating 3 days ago, so I am not sure if these are connected. It is also possible that the area was irritated and chafed when she performed oral (which has happened in the past to me), but it seems odd to me that 9 days later this would still be a problem. I do realize that my concern and conciseness of the problem makes it worse and more apparent, as I am fretting about having contracted HSV. I've even considered that this might be psychosomatic. But my questions would be:
1) Does this sound like HSV?
2) If this is a prodromal symptom, how long might it last before I can expect lesions to appear?
3) If lesions don't appear, is it still possible that I have contracted HSV?
4) Will seeing a doctor for testing in this phase do anything or must lesions be present for testing?
Thank you for any advice you can give
About 10 days ago I was with a girl who is HSV-2 positive, but she did not have any lesions present for 2 months prior, nor does she have any now. We did not have sex but the underside of the shaft of my penis was directly in contact with her for a few minutes. I washed about an hour later, but now I am concerned.
Since then I've developed a burning sensation under my foreskin on the top left side, that started a few days ago. It is on the skin just below the head of the penis (part of the underside of the foreskin). It is slightly red and tender to the touch. It feels as though the skin is dry and irritated, but applying moisturizer hasn't helped. I have examined the area many times and there are no bumps or lesions (even small ones). When I pull the skin back though, it is slightly reddish and it seems as if the capillaries are a little redder than normal (but I don't really have a basis for comparison). It has now been 3-4 days and I have not seen any lesions develop. I also do not have any other symptoms of HSV (i.e. burning during urination, tingling, lesions, fever, aches, etc.).
The area became more irritated after masturbating 3 days ago, so I am not sure if these are connected. It is also possible that the area was irritated and chafed when she performed oral (which has happened in the past to me), but it seems odd to me that 9 days later this would still be a problem. I do realize that my concern and conciseness of the problem makes it worse and more apparent, as I am fretting about having contracted HSV. I've even considered that this might be psychosomatic. But my questions would be:
1) Does this sound like HSV?
2) If this is a prodromal symptom, how long might it last before I can expect lesions to appear?
3) If lesions don't appear, is it still possible that I have contracted HSV?
4) Will seeing a doctor for testing in this phase do anything or must lesions be present for testing?
Thank you for any advice you can give
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to our Forum. I'll answer your questions momentarily but before I do, let me point out two proven scientific facts- First, clearly only a small fraction (less than 1%) of sexual exposures to sex partners with genital herpes lead to transmission of infection and secondly, studies show that partners of persons who are aware of their infections and disclose this to sex partners are at less risk of becoming infected than persons whose partners do not disclose of their infection. Your risk for infection is very low. Now let's work through your questions:
1. No, what you describe does not sound like HSV. HSV acquisition is indicated by the presence of lesions and perception of subtle sensations or possible changes in color, etc of the skin is most likely to be due to scrutiny of your genitals in a way that you do not typically do, perhaps accentuated by the minor but repeated trauma of repeated self examination.
2. HSV prodromes last hours before appearance of lesions, not days. See comment above.
3. Persons who acquire HSV sometimes are not aware that they have. This is typically because they attribute their lesions to other causes. A very small proportion of persons may acquire infection without lesions but this really is not something to worry about in your situation.
4. Best for lesions to be present. I see nothing in your post to suggest testing would be beneficial and would specifically warn you against having blood tests for HSV as you are more likely to have a false positive result than any other result.
I hope this helps. You are fortunate to have a partner who knows that she has HSV and told you. This puts you at lower risk for infection than if you have sex with a new partner who simply doesn't "think" she has HSV- over 80% of persons with HSV do not know it and they are the ones who account for most HSV transmission. EWH
1. No, what you describe does not sound like HSV. HSV acquisition is indicated by the presence of lesions and perception of subtle sensations or possible changes in color, etc of the skin is most likely to be due to scrutiny of your genitals in a way that you do not typically do, perhaps accentuated by the minor but repeated trauma of repeated self examination.
2. HSV prodromes last hours before appearance of lesions, not days. See comment above.
3. Persons who acquire HSV sometimes are not aware that they have. This is typically because they attribute their lesions to other causes. A very small proportion of persons may acquire infection without lesions but this really is not something to worry about in your situation.
4. Best for lesions to be present. I see nothing in your post to suggest testing would be beneficial and would specifically warn you against having blood tests for HSV as you are more likely to have a false positive result than any other result.
I hope this helps. You are fortunate to have a partner who knows that she has HSV and told you. This puts you at lower risk for infection than if you have sex with a new partner who simply doesn't "think" she has HSV- over 80% of persons with HSV do not know it and they are the ones who account for most HSV transmission. EWH
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Gald to help. Take care. EWH
Thank you Doctor! You have put my mind at ease and you're right, I am lucky to have met someone who was open about it from the start.
Best
Best
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.
