Tingling in scrotum and fever

I had unprotected sex with a woman I barely knew on 06/08/2009.  Approximately 24 hours later I felt a slight tingle on the left side of my scrotum.  The tingling sensation gradually increased over the next few days as the entire scrotum and groin area began to tingle.  I also felt the tingle sensation in my left leg all the way down to my foot for a one day period.  I also experienced a slight fever starting on 06/11/2009.  It is 06/16 and both the tingling and fever persist.  I monitor my temperature several times daily and it seems to vary from normal (98.6*F), up to 100*F.  I do feel slightly "sick" with a mild sore throat and a general tired feeling.  I do not see any type of bumps, blisters or sores in my genital region.  Maybe a slight reddening of the skin in the area.  The fever and tingling have been persistent and unchanged for the past week.  I fear herpes or some other STD.  Any advice would be appreciated.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the STD forum.

Your symptoms really are not suggestive of any STD, regardless of the timing.  First, no infection of any kind, STD or otherwise, can cause onset of symptoms in less than 2-3 days.  Starting at 24 hours means it is something else.  Second, even though "tingling" is often listed as a herpes symptoms, it happens only in the presence of overt herpes blisters/sores, or sometimes for 1-2 days before sores begin.  Continuing tingling for a week is not a likely herpes symptom.  If it were herpes, the sores would have become apparent within 2-3 days.  Finally, initial outbreaks of genital herpes in men almost always involve the penis, not the groin or scrotum.

As far as your possible low grade fever is concerned, that also is not a likely early STD symptom.  More likely you have some minor viral infection.  In any case, your temperature is barely elevated.  98.6 is not the top of the normal range; it is the average body temperature over the course of a day.  At any particular time, body temperature can normally be as high as 99.5.

If your symptoms continue or you otherwise remain concerned, see a health care provider for examination and testing.  And even without symptoms, after this sort of sexual exposure, routine STD testing is a good idea.  But I don't expect anything to show up.

Good luck--  HHH, MD