Herpes?

[Concerned670]

I received unprotected oral sex through ejaculation (probably for 1 to 2 minutes) last week and kissed a woman who had no visible cold sores.   Every since then, I have been very anxious about herpes.  This person claims to have had one partner since november and been tested in March and again this week for STDs and been STD free.  Among the negative tests were both forms of herpes.

However, I have still had great concerns about herpes, in part because I do not know her and can't be sure if she is telling the truth.  For the last three or four days, the lymph nodes around my groin have been periodically uncomfortable though not painful.  They just feel tight on occasion or almost bloated.  It will intensify (along with my anxiety) and then go away or lessen.  In addition, I have felt bloated at times in my stomach, sometimes constipated, occasional penile and testicular discomfort (again a feeling of being bloated),  lower back and buttock stiffness, and what feel like heat rashes in different parts of my body at times.  

I should say my anxiety is very high, which may be causing some of this.  I have not eaten, drank or slept much this week and have lost about 10 pounds.  I had been monogomous for a while, so I am certain it is not HIV.  I had an STD specialist look at my genitals yesterday, and he said that he did not see anything of concern.  I had my blood tested for HSV-1 & 2 and will find out the results on Wed..  I have no cold sores, though I do have some white bumps on my upper right gum line.  They don't hurt at all.  Again, the specialist looked at those and said they looked like normal tissue to him, but that he was not a "mouth" specialist.  I have not urinated frequently, but it doesn't hurt when I do.  What has me concerned is the lymph nodes.   Here are my questions:

1. Do these sound like Herpes symptoms?  

2. If not, what could the problem with the lymph nodes be?

3. Any other thoughts on what could be happening?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You are correct.  A postive test at five days is most likely to reflect an existing infection, not one just acquired.  EWH

[Concerned670]

Dr. Hook,

Thank you.  This is not a "could be" question but one on the blood tests.  If my blood test for HSV-1 five days after the encounter came back positive, wouldn't that mean that I had it already anyway?  Based on what I've read in the threads, a new-positive won't show up that fast.  Is that correct?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

It could be a cyst or folliculitis.  It is not at all likely to be herpes.  It appears that you are overly concerned about herpes.  Please try to get past this, it is not justified or appropriate.  If you cannot, I suggest you discuss this with a mental health professional.  I say this out of concern, nothing more.

Please no further "could this be" questions.  EWH

[Concerned670]

Dr.,

Thank you for your response.  

A follow up question.  I actually just noticed what looks like a single bug bite on my left testicle.  It itches, though not unbearably.  It is an area that chafes.  I do not believe her mouth made contact with my testicles.  The skin around it looks fairly normal.  Could this be herpes?  Could it be a clogged follicle?  Thanks again.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Nothing you have describe is in the least bit suggestive of herpes.  Your partner said she did not have STD, including herpes- so why would you not believe her.  In my experience most people tell the truth.

A few relevant facts about herpes.
1.  While the disease is relatively common, most exposures to partners with infection do not acquire the infection.
2.  If you acquired herpes, the most likely presentation of infection would be ulcerations and small blisters (vesicles) on your penis.
3.  If you caught herpes, it would be expected that you would develop lesions somewhere between 4 and 10 days after exposure.
4.  You have been examined by a specialist who saw nothing of concern.
5. Periodic discomfort of the sort you describe in your groin in no way suggests herpes.
6.  The blood test you took last week will not be helpful in herpes diagnosis.  It takes time to develop anti-herpes antibodies, sometimes as long as 4 months

My guess is that for some reason you are having second thoughts about your partner. why I do not know but I do know that when this happens, people tend to become hyper-aware of their own body and notice things in their body which are normal but have been un-noticed.

From what you say, you have NO reason to worry.  I urge you to believe the doctor you saw and do your best to relax.  EWH