Symptoms/testing

[Testfrequency]

I wrote in about 2 weeks ago with HSV testing questions and was told I was badly overreacting to a non-risk event (male who received brief oral sex from a female sex worker). After a negative Herpeselect test for HSV-1&2 at 6+ weeks, your advice and a diagnosis of

[JohnNYC]

I don' t know why people are saying the risk is non-existant.  When someone is giving an erotic massage there's a lot of rubbing that goes on - some of that at the tip of the penis.  Let's say they haven't washed their hands from the customer well, or even at all...it's not hard to imagine catching something.  I have had symptoms (burning in urethra) 3 days after an erotic massage with oil as described by others here.

[monkeyflower]

Your STD risk isn't very low - it's completely non-existant. And normal temp varies, but anything below 100.something (.1? .4? I forget) is NOT a fever. I think you're right when you say your anxiety has the best of you - anxiety will certainly cause/exacerbate all the symptoms you describe. Relax. You don't have a STD, you don't have anything to worry about.

[Ben06]

Thank you for your comments. I think my anxiety is getting the best of me. Nevertheless, I can't get over the fact that I have some tingling/burning in the urethra, and a low fever. I also have an aching feeling in my left testicle, and just a general feeling of malaise. Of course, I'm not sleeping or eating well, either, both because I'm traveling and because I'm feeling so much anxiety.

Given that my STD risk is extremely low (no other encounters to speak of), I wonder if something else is going on. A urinary tract infection? Who knows. It's got me worried. I'm heading home in a few days, and I'll have to go to my doctor to get checked out.

[Ben06]

Can anyone help? I'm sorry to butt in with a new question, but I am in China and the computer I'm using does not have the security settings to process my credit card. I also don't have access to medical care here, so I'm desperate for some advice.

My question is in regards to two massages I received in two different massage parlors in China from two different women, one about 20 days ago, and one about 4 days ago. Both massages were identical: the women were fully clothed and used hand-to-genital stimulation on me (handjob) with massage oil.

In reading previous posts, I gather that this activity carries little risk for STDs. I didn't realize, however, that some STDs (herpes, etc.) can be spread through skin-to-skin contact, and this now has me worried. Also, I know nothing about the history of these women, and I have to assume they have a disease or two, although I saw no outward signs.

For the past three days, I have had tingling/burning in my urethra and at the tip of my penis (the feeling is off and on, and does not occur while urinating). Today I also have a mild fever (99.5 degrees).

I don't know what to do. It seems highly unlikely that these symptoms are related to the massages, but I can't be sure. I'm also feeling quite a bit of guilt and shame, so my symptoms may be partly psychosomatic. The fever has me worried. Is it possible that I have some other infection, such as a urinary tract infection, that is somehow related to the massage? I'm carrying some antibiotics with me (amoxicillin, cipro, and keflex), but I don't have any access to medical care, and I'm beginning to get very worried.

I'm going home in three days (to the U.S.). I'm terrified that I may have something that can be passed to my wife. Any information on my risk of STDs from these encounters, or other likely causes of my symptoms?

Many thanks.

[monkeyflower]

No one EVER got any STD from a handjob. I'm guessing the irritation is either from the oil, or more likely your guilt feelings. You have nothing to worry about.

Btw, a 99.5 temperature is NOT considered a fever :-)

[Testfrequency]

Thanks for the response. I guess I already know as much as I'm every going to know about HSV and other STD transmission. I know it was a minimal risk, but I guess to know for sure, I'll have to wait 3-4 months for a final test. I read a post on this site where another guy was in my same situation and didn't seroconvert until 16 weeks, didn't have symptoms in the mean time. It'll be a long summer...

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You indeed are overreacting.  All evidence is you do not have herpes; the exposure you described in your previous thread was very low risk for herpes; and your symptoms do not sound like herpes.  The fact that you have  "never had ANYTHING like this before" of course is not evidence for herpes as opposed to something else.  You have been evaluated at one of the most expert sites for herpes related care anywhere in the country, and that is where you should go for further evaluation.

Please do not continue this thread with further "yes but" or "what if" questions.  I will not respond.  Follow up at the Westover Heights Clinic.

HHH, MD