Possible Herpes Transmission? Scared!

[whoknows979]

Hey Doctor,

I'm going to try and make this quick and simple. I am a 19 year old male and I had protected sex with a female at college about 5 months ago (strictly intercourse, no oral). This was my first time - it was her third time. Before me, she had previously had sex with another male from my school who is known to have had many partners (he claimed 30). Anyway, soon after I had sex with her (approx 2 days later) my testicles felt sore... somewhat "heavy" and I definitely noticed something was wrong. I did not notice anything else out of the ordinary (other then my left leg feeling a bit strange). I went to my doctor and since it was only 2 days after the sex encounter that I experienced this problem, he pretty much dismissed it being an STD and told me to come back if it persisted. So... 4 months went by and everything seemed OK... until last week when my left leg felt slightly numb (from my knee down to my foot.) It was just generally very discomforting. This lasted about 2 days. As soon as that ended, my testicles became sore and painful again (very much like the first time). I did not experience any other Herpes symptoms like genital sores/lesions, flu-like symptoms, back pain, penis pain, or redness/itchiness around my genital area. I'm a bit scared (that's an understatement) right now because I know that 60% of HSV2+ individuals experience no symptoms or very mild symptoms. I'm scared that this girl may have been asymptomatically shedding and I am now portraying the mild symptoms associated with Herpes.

So, Doc, what can you conclude from this mess?
I really appreciate your help.

-L

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Your doctor undoubtedly sends most or all his patients' blood work to a particular lab, which will its own standard tests.  These days, that almost always includes valid type-specific IgG tests, such as the HerpeSelect or Captia test.  Both are reliable.  The lab might also do an IgM test as a matter of routine; you and your doctor should ignore that result, regardless of what it shows.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I conclude that your symptoms are not due to herpes or any STD, and that they are completely unrelated to your single episode of sexual intercourse.  Herpes simply does not cause the sorts of symptoms you describe; and the chance your partner has a genital HSV infection (with only 2-3 other partners) is very low.  If your symptoms continue, see a health care provider.  If s/he agrees, a blood test for HSV could be done to settle your fears.  But you really have no worries, and I truly believe your symptoms have nothing at all to do with your sexual encounter -- except for the possibility of being related to anxiety about that event.

I hope this helps.  Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The symptoms you describe -- "genital discomfort and leg pain" -- do not suggest herpes unless they occur in conjunction with typical herpes blisters and sore.  They are highly suggestive of genitally focussed anxiety.  Otherwise, the "understandings" you state are correct.

Please re-read my initial response above.  These additional comments do not change that opinion or my advice.  

[whoknows979]

Thanks again! This will be my last post here.

Just to clarify and confirm: As I stated, I have had two separate sessions of noticeable discomfort (one that occurred very soon after protected intercourse, and the other roughly 4 months after that) of numbness/tingling in my left leg down to my foot, followed by very uncomfortable testicular pain. At no point have I had any other signs or symptoms, other than a small pimple on my scrotum which my doctor believed was simply an enlarged or inflamed follicle.

If I am correct, in terms of asymptomatic individuals, these people will show NO typical symptoms of Herpes, including what I just previous listed (leg numbness and genital pain.) From what I understand, these symptoms only take place when sores or lesions are present?

I also understand that people who are not aware that they are infected, but test positive for HSV2 later, start noticing symptoms associated with HSV2 that they did not notice (or take into consideration) before. What exactly are these people noticing that they previously missed?

While I try not to be too concerned, it's odd and frustrating to me that I am getting leg pain and genital discomfort at the same time! I have read that these are normal symptoms of HSV2, are they?

Thanks again, and I appreciate the help you have given me.

-L

[whoknows979]

Thanks for the quick answer! That certainly makes me feel a bit better. I have requested a blood test for HSV1 and HSV2. Since I recently switched providers, I was going to get regular blood work done anyway. I noticed that as he filled out the paper for blood work, he simply wrote down "Test for: Herpes Simplex Virus 1, and Herpes Simplex Virus 2." There was no specification as to which type of test was going to be administered. I have been reading a few posts that state there are a few different types of tests that can be preformed for Herpes and that some bring back varying results. (IgG, IgM?) The bottom line is: will this test that I received give me a positive answer as to if have the herpes virus and able to shed to other partners? Sorry if I sound a bit uneducated, but there is just so much confusing and "controversial" information on the internet. It's crazy!

Thanks very much!

-L