STD/Herpes Anxiety

Hello! I'm a 21-y/o gay male. My dozen sexual experiences in the years in which I have been sexually active were limited to oral contact (giving/receiving). For the first time, on Feburary 26, 2005, a day that will live in infamy, I was at a club, drunk, where I was the receiving person of unprotected anal sex for roughly 20 seconds (insertion, me wincing, his withdrawl (withdrawal) and a few more seconds of contact). There was no ejaculation.

The anxiety started, and 4 days later, I went to the ER - got a head-to-toe exam, digital rectal exam, etc -- no lesions/signs of infection. Saw my GP a week later, same bill of health. Saw a urologist about 1 month after contact, no signs of anything amiss. Got HIV tested (rapidtest) April 5, ~5.5 weeks later, negative.

Since the incident, scrotal area has been subject to discomfort (nothing intense, localized to the right size, sometimes), but the urologist ruled out epididiyms (sp?) - and said I had no hernia. Occasional discomfort persists. Additionally, there's some anal discomfort (no bleeding, discharge, burning pain). Upon my own inspection, there seems to be something the size/shape/texture of as a zit (just one) close to the rectum.

The anal and testicular discomfort is VERY mild; not "painful" enough to distract me from work, with that being said:

1. Based on your posts, I'd assume I'm in the clear with HIV, yes?
2. Would the anal discomfort (sans-lesions, sores, etc) be herpes or just run-of-the-mill irritation?
3. Similar with testicular discomfort - sound like anything? Could it be stress? Muscular?

Thank you again :)

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Yes, your risk of acquring HIV from that encounter was low, and the negative blood test is very reassuring.  As you have seen from other posts, official advice from various sources is to be tested at 3 months to be sure, but with standard tests (including the rapid test), very few people have a delay in positivity more than 3-4 weeks.  Also, even for unprotected anal sex (and even with ejaculation), the risk of infection for any single exposure is well under one in 100.

The vague discomfort you describe doesn't sound like an STD.  "Stress" and "muscular" probably are the same thing; stress/anxiety often cause pain by increasing muscle tone.  The standard advice applies:  if your symptoms persist and are bothersome, return to a healthc care provider for a second check.  But I doubt you have anything serious.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[timmytim]

Whoops... Noticed a typo (and wanted to clarify the testicular pain)...


I meant to say the discomfort feels as though it's on the right side. Yet, when I examine the testicle myself, there's no point on either one that causes pain when a particular area is touched, however the discomfort seems to be only towards the right.

In the morning or in certain positions, the discomfort may be present at both sides.

I forgot to mention that in all visits from the ER, GP and Urologist (spanning roughly a month), I was checked for hernias, cancer, etc.

I have a urologist appointment this Friday (a follow up, the first time he told me my symptoms were likely related to stress and the urinalysis came up negative and based on the lack of other, more ooky discharge, pronounced pain, difficulty urinating, etc, that it wasn't an STD). That was a lot of stuff to write in parenthesis; don't show this to my English teacher!

Thanks again for all the work you do, Doc! It's greatly appreciated. Sorry I'm long winded.

[timmytim]

Okay -- you're going to kill me -- third post! Sorry, the anxiety still isn't gone just yet and I've been rapidclicking the Post button.

I forgot to mention that there was his penis to my mouth contact; and I've had a moderately sore throat (then again I quit smoking roughtly after the experience as a part of my 'let's not die' kick).. I don't believe this oral exposure would noticably increase my risk; but just wanted to make sure I was as thorough as possible.

If I'm ever in your area, I owe you a coffee (or eight) for reading through all of this! :)

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Don't worry about the extra posts.  But the additional information doesn't modify my initial response.  I'm not sure you'll gain much from another visit to the urologist, but follow through if it will help to ease your mind.

HHH, MD

[timmytim]

Thanks Doc! I was about 5 days shy of the 6 week mark with my negative rapidtest results -- should I go again or would that be a sufficent enough indication of my results?


Additionally, I don't know if you realize how much your valuable advice, insight, time and effort are appreciated on this board -- but they certainly are.. Thank you for all that you do!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Thanks for the compliment!

HHH, MD

[timmytim]

You're quite welcome -- not to be a nag - but is a negative rapidtest result at 5.5 weeks conclusive enough to warrant me moving on with my life? :)

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You have seen and even contributed to other strings with exactly the same issues.  What do you think my answer is?

HHH, MD

[timmytim]

"If it will give you additional peace of mind, yes. But I don't really see the need" comes to mind ;-)

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Bingo.

[timmytim]

... was his name-o!

Thanks!

Now, I'm SURE you're going to kill me for one of the longest threads in the history of this message board - but upon reading blako's herpes post at the top - i wanted to again just get one *FINAL* thought from you about herpes potential risk given my breif exposure, "clean bill of health" physical medical diagnoses and (lack of) symptoms... you said you don't think i have anything bad.. does that mean herpes? (Hopefully, you say 'Bingo' to this too! ;-))

Thanks again - sorry for picking your brian so much - but this is a great resource and I promise to shut up after this! :)