What is wrong with me?

[ninehope]

Hi there. I'm a male.  It's been 6 months since I recieved oral sex from a stripper at a club. Within 10 days I started getting burning and tingling in my groin and anus area.  Was really scared but have never gotten lesions.  The burning is a lot less now.  But back in May I got sick and my glands in my throat have been slighlty swollen for 3 months and is not going away.  As well I get fatigued and tired, and have had flu like symptoms on 4 seperate occasions in 5 months.(Maybe stress or depression)  10 days after the exposure I got tested for all std's (Herpes 1&2, Syphlis, HIV GON, CHLMY) and everything was negative except HSV-1 that read about 5.  Then at the 4 month mark after exposure I got another panel done and same result - everything negative except HSV-1 at 6.5.  Now, at the 6 month mark, same result, all neg but HSV-1 6.58.  My Infectious Disease Doc said I do not have anything for sure and I asked about HSV-1 in genitals and she said doubtful since IGG is the only on that showed and IGM never showed in all tests.  I asked if it was possible and she said maybe but very doubtful.  I feel better cuz its been the worst 6 months of my life but could I have gotten something we don't test for in this country?  The girl was from Argentina.  Why am I sick so much and why did I get these symptoms? Could I have anything at all?  Could I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Thank you very much.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Your ID doc is correct.  It has been proved beyond doubt you do not have genital herpes or any other STD.  No STD causes "burning and tingling" of the groin or anal area, and none of your other symptoms not suggest herpes or any other STD.  However, they are classical for anxiety, depression, or other psychologic explanation.  If they are related to that event, it is because of your emotional reaction to the exposure.  You obviously suspect this yourself ("Maybe stress or depression", your words), and whenever someone suspects his or her own symptoms have a psychological origin, usually s/he is correct.  Please discuss this possibility directly with your primary care provider, and accept his or her advice if s/he recommends professional counseling about it.  One way or the other, you're going to have to get beyond your obsession with herpes or other STDs.  They are not the problem.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

"I did read that burning and tingling can be caused by herpes."

Not by themselves.  Herpes sores can burn and tingle. Withour sores, herpes doesn't cause those symptoms.

Men certainly can get yeast infections on the penis when their partners have vaginal yeast infections -- and every woman gets a vaginal yeast infection from time to time.  But if you have that, you will have an obvious penile rash -- not just tingling, burning, etc.

I repeat your symptoms do not suggest any STD.  I have no comments about the possibility of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Most important, these additional comments do not change my opinion or advice above.  Please read my reply with care, pay attention to it, and follow my advice.

I won't have any other comments unless and until you return to report your provider's advice. Good luck.

[ninehope]

Thank you for the advice and info.  I did read that burning and tingling can be caused by herpes.  I also had a red kind of rashy feeling in my groin and had itching on my face, arms and legs.  My wife has had a yeast infection for quite some time and I was thinking maybe it's from that.  I don't know, I get swollen galnd in my neck for about a week or two and aches with fatigue.  Then it goes away and I feel pretty good, then comes back.  I read a lot of stuff about Chronic Fatigue Sysndrome and it sounds very similiar to what I have been dealing with.  Could it be based on your knowledge?