Herpes without visible signs??? or just anxiety??

[vaguy2009]

Doctor, I know you have answered this question at least a thousand times already but believe it is not same reading an answer directed to someone else than reading your own.

17 days ago I allowed a sex worker/escort to perform unprotected oral sex on me, 24 hours later; I developed a burning sensation at the tip of mine penis (feels like if I have icy-hot on it) and a lower back pain as well.  I am freaking out about the idea that this may be herpes; I am actually in tears as I type this message.  17 days have passed and the burning sensation is still there, I have no other symptoms (no discharge, blister, etc.) and it does not hurt when I urinate, however, the burning sensation gets worst after urinating.  Based on what I have described do you think is herpes?  Is 17 days too early to test?  The more I think about it the more it bothers me so I know anxiety may have something to do but I cannot stop thinking about it.  

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.  I'll try to help.

You are overreacting in a big way.  Herpes is not a likely cause of the sort of symptom you describe.  Although herpes can cause burning, it does so only because open sores burn.  Such discomfort by itself doesn't occur in herpes.  And if you had herpes, the symptoms would not remain more or less unchanged for 2 1/2 weeks; it would have gotten better, or the blisters sores would have appeared within a couple days after the burning started.

And what would it matter if you got genital herpes due to HSV-1?  That's the only type you can get from oral to genital contact.  Most people with genital HSV-1 have few or no recurrent outbreaks and little asymptomatic shedding, and therefore they don't transmit it to sex partners. Nobody wants genital herpes, genital HSV-1 generally is no big deal.  The level of fear you describe is totally unwarranted.  Snap out of it.

Since you're nervous, visit a health care provider, like your local health department's STD clinic then follow their advice about diagnostic testing, treatment, etc.  Most likely nothing is wrong.

Regards-- HHH, MD

[vaguy2009]

Thank so much doctor.  One last question, if not herpes; what can cause that kind of discomfort?  Should I be concern about other STDs including HIV?

[waringblender]

See a health care provider if you are concerned. Looking for answers on the internet while you continue to have symptoms makes NO sense. You yourself admit that anxiety could be causing the symptoms. It seems to me that the longer you wait to be seen and get this looked at by a professional, the more anxious you are going to get. Why go through that?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I have no further comments or advice.

[vaguy2009]

I went ahead and tested for herpes (Herpes 1&2 IgM Test) the results came back negative (17 days after exposure) I know the IgM test is useless but can rest asure that I did not get infected with herpes or do I need to do the real test after 4 months?  Thank you Doctor.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

This discussion has gone as far as I am willing to go.  You're obviously not willing to accept my advice so you're on your own.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

OK, I relented.  I'm too nice.

The test result shows that as of 3 months before the test you were not infected with HSV.  That's all.  If you insist on ignoring my opinion, have another test 3 months after the onset of the non-herpes symptoms you describe.  Tell your provider (or the lab, if you are also ignoring that part of my advice, i.e. testing on your own without professional advice) that you don't want the IgM test and refuse to pay for it.

That is definitely all for this thread.