Is it either or?!

[mr_rza_rector88]

I received unprotected oral sex over 3 weeks ago (July 19). The past 4-5 days I have been feeling this strange sensation in the very tip of my penis. Its actually quite hard to tell if it is actually just the tip or just on the inside of my urethra. Anyways, I am very concerned as this has been stressing me out since I have noticed it. The only symptom I have noticed is just the slight irritation at the tip which is pretty annoying and uncomfortable but it doesn't hurt when I urinate or ejaculate. I have inspected it closely and don't see any red marks on the tip or anywhere in my genital area. I have no cuts, bumps, pimples, discharge, smell or anything anywhere. My penis looks perfectly normal except for the fact that I have this strange feeling at the tip. I'm worried that this is herpes because I've read that no other STD can be transmitted from the mouth. So if its an STD, it has to be herpes. And if its not an STD, then what is it?! I've seen some postings about it being infected with something. Or I am just suffering from anxiety which is making me feel the sensation more then normal.Or for all I know, is this just my boxers irritating the skin. I have an appointment with a doctor on friday to get checked for every STD. But thats a friday and I have an assumption I won't get same day results, meaning I will have to wait all weekend for the answers. I just need some kind of reassurance of what I am going through!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

This would be most unusal to be herpes.  As I said, my impression is that the leading candidate would be NGU but I seriously doubt that any STD is present. The only way to be sure however is with evaluation by a trained clinician.  EWH

[mr_rza_rector88]

Thanks for the input, But am I correct that if it is an STD, it's bound to be herpes? Because its the only one that can infect through the mouth. Also, is it common for herpes to have such subtle affects after 3 weeks of being exposed? From what I have read, your first Outbreak is the heaviest or it doesn't happen at all (or for at least a long time). If this where to be my first outbreak (regardless of the oral or previous sex partners) wouldn't it get worse then just some discomfort after 5 days of noticing something? Like I said, I am getting checked out on Friday and will wait to hear what they have to say. I'm hoping for the best as this will definitely alter my lifestyle and pretty much haunt me for the rest of me life!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum. There are really two questions here.  The first is what might be causing your "strange feeling" and the second is do you need testing.

First the strange feeling. When people have strange feelings they are rarely STDs and often a reflection of over focusing on whether or not they have an STD.  Sometimes after an exposure that, in retrospect, one wishes they had not had, persons tend to examine themselves and be far more attuned to genital sensations than in periods when they are not concerned.  This in turn leads to noticing what turn out to be normal sensations that might have been not noticed or ignored at other times.  Perhaps this was a contributor to your situation.  Admittedly there could be an STD and on occasion the  symptoms of NGU can be quite vague but it is unlikely.  In most cases if you were going to develop symptoms it would occur before 3 weeks had passed. Testing however will help you sort this out.  

Second question- do you need testing- YES!  You qualify for STD "screening (testing in the absence of symptoms) because you have had multiple partners without testing.  Most STDs can be asymptomatic some of the time- this is the major way they are transmitted.  In general, as a matter of personal protection, we recommend annual testing for anyone who has had two or more sex partners in the past year (we consider this to be health maintenance- we also recommend you get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly).  You are certainly beyond this.  Your tests may well be negative but is best to be sure.

Hope this helps. EWH

[mr_rza_rector88]

Also, I want to add that I have never got tested before and I have been sexually active for multiple years now. This is the first time I have ever experienced anything out of the normal. And also why I think this could be herpes is because I've read there is cases with no symptoms at all! So if I where to get symptoms, would I be hit heavily or could symptoms just be as little as this irritation I am facing right now!