Possible that I have Herpes?

One week and a day ago I had unprotected sex with a female (I'm a male).  While I don't know her track record she swears she was tested last Feb and doesn't have herpes (who really knows though, right?).  36 hours later I noticed a tingling feeling in my scrotum that only lasted for a few hours and moved down to my thighs/legs.  There was no signs of bumps or any sort of rash on my penis, groin, anus, or legs.  The tingling feeling has since become more intense in my legs.  In the mean time, I've had herpe-like symptoms such as feeling VERY fatigued, loss of appetite, and a minor sore throat that came and went within 5-6 hours.  It should also be noted that I was on a vacation in Vegas where I partied hard for three days straight and one of the guys was sick (a few other guys got sick when the vacation was over).

Since I thought I might have herpes, I've worried myself sick and wonder if some of these symptoms have been brought upon by stress.  As of now, I noticed that my pubic area has some dry skin (no rash or bumps) and tingles/burns a little bit.  I shave down there and might be due to dry skin.  I've also noticed that I have dry skin on my face that is flaking right now.  

While I have no bumps or rashes, is it too soon to tell if I have herpes?  I have an appointment this weekend to get an STD test done to relieve some stress of worrying.  I fear that I have all of the symptoms before a herpes outbreak. It just seem like a coincidence I started having all of these bodily issues right after I had unprotected sex with a female I didn't know too well.  Thoughts?  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the STD forum.

Despite what you think you have learned by searching the web or elsewhere, your symptoms do not suggest herpes--  really not even a hint of it.  It is true that "tingling" can be a herpes symptom  -- but that is only because herpes blisters/sores are described by some patients has having "tingling". That symptom by itself is not a sign of herpes.  Also, infection with HSV generally requires the virus to be vigorously massaged into the skin, often with microscopic trauma.  Therefore, the initial outbreak almost always is at sites of maximum friction during sex, i.e. the penis in men or the vaginal opening or labia minor in women -- and virtually never the scrotum, pubic area, thighs, etc.  Finally, you are well beyond the usual window period for initial herpes, since real outbreak symptoms (again, those pesky blisters or open sores) usually begin with 3-5 days.

If your symptoms continue and you are convinced they are abnormal (i.e., not just increased awareness of normal body sensations due to anxiety and worry), then of course see a health care provider.  But I see no realistic chance you caught herpes and do not recommend testing for it. But of course follow your own provider's advice if you go ahead with professional care.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[waguy873]

Maybe I misunderstood the information I read online, but do people get tingling, then the outbreaks?  Or both at the same time?  

And you say the outbreaks occur within 3-5 days.  Is that from when I had unprotected sex or when I started to feel the tingling/flu-like symptoms?  

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

To clarify one point:  Tingling can precede RECURRENT herpes outbreaks.  But not the initial infection.  And even when it precedes recurrent outbreaks, it is by 1-2 days.  Tingling due to herpes cannot persist for several days before onset of an outbreak of herpes blisters/sores.

[waguy873]

My test came back negative and everything seems to be fine.  Should I let more time pass again before I get retested or am I in the clear?  I wasn't too sure on how it takes for herpes to show up in a blood test.  On another note, within the last few days I've had some minor leg tingling, although it could be due to the fact I am thinking about my situation more and more.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Although you don't describe the exact timing of your blood test, apparently it was done around 6-7 weeks after the sexual exposure that you were worried about (late October to sometime in the first half of December?).  It can take up to 3-4 months for blood tests to become positive, but in over 80% of cases the test is positive positive blood test results within 6 weeks.  Combining a) the low risk you were exposed to herpes, b) no symptoms that suggest herpes (as we discussed above), and c) the negative blood test, you can be completely certain you didn't catch HSV.

Herpes doesn't cause "leg tingling".  And whenever a person suspects his or her own symptoms have a psychological origin, usually s/he is correct.

So congratulations:  you don't have it.  Happy holidays and stay safe.