Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Herpes through saliva

9 days ago I received an unprotected handjob from a female sex worker who used her saliva to lubricate my penis. I did not really have any concerns until a couple of days later I started experiencing a very faint discomfort right at the tip of my penis, by the urethra opening: a slight burning sensation, and a feeling of sensitivity. These symptoms have persisted and progressed, and now at day 9 after the incident the tip of my penis feels worse, and is quite red and sensitive; and every now and then I experience increased discomfort. I have also noticed that in the last 5 days or so there is a small red spot right below the urethra opening. A couple of years ago I had chlamydia, and I'd say that the symptoms of discomfort are similar except that there is absolutely no pain or discomfort when I urinate.

I'm concerned that I somehow contracted HSV from this woman. I've read that it is extremely unlikely that HSV can be transmitted this way, but I'm not sure how else to explain these symptoms. I got tested for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea 5 days after the incident and both tests came back negative. I do not have to urinate frequently nor feel pain during urination, so I don't believe that it is a UTI of any sort.

My questions are:

1) As unlikely as it would be, is it possible that I contracted HSV through a handjob with saliva? There is absolutely no other incident in my history that could explain these symptoms.

2) If I do have HSV, is it any more likely that I have type 1 or type 2? And if it is HSV, what sorts of symptoms should I look out for in the near future? Is it possible that I will never exhibit blisters?

3) Is there anything else that could possibly explain my symptoms? (Other than anxiety -- there is definitely something real happening down there)

4) How long should I wait to get an HSV blood test; and what type of test would be best?

Thanks.
8 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum.

You are correct in your understanding that herpes is not transmitted by hand-genital contact, even when saliva or genital secretions are used as lubricants.  Theoretically it could happen, but in 30+ years at a busy STD clinic I have never seen or heard of such a case.  To your specific questions:

1) Herpes does not cause the sort of symptoms you describe.  Herpes can cause tingling, burning, and irritation -- but only in the presence of herpetic blisters or sores.  By themselves such symptoms don't indicate herpes.

2) However, oral contact never transmits HSV-2; since the exposure was with saliva, if you had herpes, it would have to be HSV-1.  But it isn't herpes, and there is little point in speculating about which type you don't have.

3) Physical irritation; chemical irritation of some sort; dermatitis; or maybe just anxiety magnifying normal skin sensations, i.e. no physical explanation.

4) I see no need for HSV testing in this circumstance.  A much smarter approach would be to see a health professional, describe your symptoms, get examined, and then let that person recommend what tests, if any, are indicated.

Good luck--  HHH, MD
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
A related discussion, Herpes through saliva during handJob was started.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks again.
Helpful - 0
239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Soap or detergent in the urethra is very irritating and can be quite painful.

How long HIV can survive is irrelevant.  The important fact is that nobody in the world ever caught HIV by hand-genital or saliva contact and you aren't going to be the first.  It really twists logic to imagine that blood got into your urethra. And the chance you partner had HIV  is very low anyway.

You may not keep returning with every additional anxiety-driven question that comes to mind.  That will be all for this thread.  I have nothing more to say.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry -- one more thing: The discomfort has also spread and feels like it is coming from inside the urethra -- feels like there is something gritty in there.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The symptoms are progressing, so I have made an appointment with a healthcare professional.

I remembered something about that night that might be relevant:

This woman had a cut on her leg that I noticed during our encounter, and it was bleeding -- the blood dripping down her leg. This is when I sort of freaked out and decided to end the sexual encounter, but now I'm starting to wonder if there was a chance that some of this blood got on her hand/my penis, and if it's possible that I could have been exposed to any STD (including HIV) because of this?

How long can HIV live when exposed to air or light? Is it physically possible for blood from an HIV+ person entering the urethra to transmit the disease? I read that sometimes an early symptom of HIV is a rash. My symptoms have progressed to a constant burning sensation at the tip of my urethra. It still doesn't hurt at all when I urinate, but just rubbing up against my shorts causes discomfort. The opening of my urethra is red and sensitive, and the shaft and head of my penis are starting to itch as well.

Last question: Have you ever heard of these symptoms being caused by detergent (I recently have switched to powdered), drinking an excess of alcohol and/or coffee?

Just FYI -- I had an urinanalysis done with all negative results.

Thank you.




Helpful - 0
239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are not transitted by saliva and also do not cause the sorts of symptoms you describe.  Probably you no infection of any kind from the sexual event you describe and most likely your symptoms will fade with time.

Initial herpes causes severe sores inside the mouth and a bad sore throat, usually with high fever.  Recurrent herpes lesions are always outside the mouth.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for your swift response!

Now I just have to figure out what's going on if it's not an STD/STI. I assume that Chlamydia or Gonorrhea are also non-transmissible through saliva?

One last herpes related question: is it possible to get cold sores INSIDE your mouth? Or do they only show up outside or on the lips?

Thanks.
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum

Popular Resources
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.