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STDs (Expert Forum)
What is this
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
What is this
by CollectorSince66, Oct 21, 2007 12:37PM
15 months ago,I had unprotected sex with a friend.Several days after,I began to have an icey/hot feeling in my inner thighs.This feeling lasted for around 2 weeks.No visual symptoms ever appeared.A month ago,I had unprotected sex with a different friend and the same feeling came back a week later.This time it was in my inner thigh,all the way up to my hip bone,down my quad,the right side of my butt and down my hamstring.Again,no visible symptoms ever came and the feeling has lasted 2 weeks.The only thing I can think of is I do get jock itch a lot.
1.)Can jock itch cause that burning sensation all over your inner thighs,legs,hip and butt. 2.)If it is a herpes prodrome,or outbreak of herpes,is it possible to have absolutely NO blisters,bumps,sores,or anything out of the ordinary and still feel that icey/hot sensation?I read that you only feel the burning where the blisters are going to appear. If so,80% of my right leg between my hip bone and knee is in trouble.Also I read that the burning sensation from the prodrome goes away once the blisters appear. 3.)If had had herpes from unprotected sex,wouldn't be on my penis instead of elsewhere? 4.)If I were to have asymptomatic(which I guess means no symptoms)case of herpes how likely is it to pass it on to someone else? 5.)If I do have herpes and the two cases which were over a year apart were outbreaks, is it possible to have no visible symptoms and that they are so mild that they could be overlooked by someone who didn't know the symptoms of herpes? 6.)If this is not herpes,what could it be.I've read that hypersensitivity can cause sensations in your legs.However, in my first experience with it I was only feeling guilty about cheating and didn't know burning in the thighs was a symptom of herpes until after research. 7.)I read that herpes is mistaken as jock itch (I assume by regular people).Is it possible that a DOCTOR at a testing clinic could look at herpes and actually think it was jock itch?
1.)Can jock itch cause that burning sensation all over your inner thighs,legs,hip and butt. 2.)If it is a herpes prodrome,or outbreak of herpes,is it possible to have absolutely NO blisters,bumps,sores,or anything out of the ordinary and still feel that icey/hot sensation?I read that you only feel the burning where the blisters are going to appear. If so,80% of my right leg between my hip bone and knee is in trouble.Also I read that the burning sensation from the prodrome goes away once the blisters appear. 3.)If had had herpes from unprotected sex,wouldn't be on my penis instead of elsewhere? 4.)If I were to have asymptomatic(which I guess means no symptoms)case of herpes how likely is it to pass it on to someone else? 5.)If I do have herpes and the two cases which were over a year apart were outbreaks, is it possible to have no visible symptoms and that they are so mild that they could be overlooked by someone who didn't know the symptoms of herpes? 6.)If this is not herpes,what could it be.I've read that hypersensitivity can cause sensations in your legs.However, in my first experience with it I was only feeling guilty about cheating and didn't know burning in the thighs was a symptom of herpes until after research. 7.)I read that herpes is mistaken as jock itch (I assume by regular people).Is it possible that a DOCTOR at a testing clinic could look at herpes and actually think it was jock itch?
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Oct 21, 2007 01:33PM
, Oct 21, 2007 01:33PM
Before I get to your specific questions, no STD causes the symptoms you describe. The "icy/hot" feeling of your inner thighs probably was unrelated to the sexual exposure several days previously, except for the possibilitty of a psychological symptom, perhaps related to anxiety or guilt about the event. That the same sensation occurred following another sexual exposure supports the psychological explanation. Genital herpes symptoms/outbreaks are not triggered by sex.
On to the questions:
1) Tinea cruris (jock itch) always causes visible rash. A burning sensation without rash isn't jock itch.
2) It wasn't herpes prodrome, which does not generally occur with an initial HSV infection, only recurrent outbreaks; and generally llasts only 2-3 days, preceding an obvious, typical herpes outbreak.
3) Yes: if you had herpes, you would expect initial penile lesions.
4) If you have asymptomatic HSV-2 infection, you can transmit it sexually to a partner. There is no reason to suspect it, but why speculate? You could have a blood test and know for sure.
5) "Is it possible?" I supppose so. I have never heard of a case like you describe.
6) You misunderstood something you read in your research, or found an unreliable site. Burning of the thighs is not a herpes symptom.
7) It is unlikely that a doc would see herpes and diagnose jock itch. The differences in appearance are too great.
It is time to stop searching the web for herpes symptoms. It is always possible to find symptoms that seem compatible if you take the information out of context. For example, some herpes lesions itch. Many people with genital herpes with no apparent symptoms later develop herpes sores that itch. In thinking back, many such persons realize "Hmm, I had the same itch before, I just never looked." Therefore, most information sources list genital itching as a symptom of herpes. But that has nothing to do with the person who says "my penis (or scrotum, or vulva) itches a lot, therefore I might have herpes". Itching is a herpes symptom only when it precedes or accompanies an herpes sore, and in that case the itching goes away as the lesion heals. In other words, itching by itself generally is meaningless as evidence of herpes. The same reasoning applies to tingling or other symptoms of herpes prodrome, to unexplained genital pain, and to such nonspecific symptoms as muscle aches, fever, and all the other things that are listed on websites as herpes symptoms. All those symptoms are meaningless as evidence of herpes, unless other evidence also supports the herpes diagnosis--such as recurrent typical herpes sores.
Bottom line: If you want, you can have a blood test. Probably it will be negative for HSV-2, but even if it is positive, it will mean only that you have asymptomatic herpes plus the unexplained genital symptoms you describe above. (You could then be on the lookout for more specific herpes symptoms, i.e. recurrent genital area blisters/sores. But until such things were observed, you have asymptomatic herpes.) Whether or not you have a positive blood test, you need to stop searching the web--and also stop seeking answers through online advice services, like this one--and move on with your life.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
On to the questions:
1) Tinea cruris (jock itch) always causes visible rash. A burning sensation without rash isn't jock itch.
2) It wasn't herpes prodrome, which does not generally occur with an initial HSV infection, only recurrent outbreaks; and generally llasts only 2-3 days, preceding an obvious, typical herpes outbreak.
3) Yes: if you had herpes, you would expect initial penile lesions.
4) If you have asymptomatic HSV-2 infection, you can transmit it sexually to a partner. There is no reason to suspect it, but why speculate? You could have a blood test and know for sure.
5) "Is it possible?" I supppose so. I have never heard of a case like you describe.
6) You misunderstood something you read in your research, or found an unreliable site. Burning of the thighs is not a herpes symptom.
7) It is unlikely that a doc would see herpes and diagnose jock itch. The differences in appearance are too great.
It is time to stop searching the web for herpes symptoms. It is always possible to find symptoms that seem compatible if you take the information out of context. For example, some herpes lesions itch. Many people with genital herpes with no apparent symptoms later develop herpes sores that itch. In thinking back, many such persons realize "Hmm, I had the same itch before, I just never looked." Therefore, most information sources list genital itching as a symptom of herpes. But that has nothing to do with the person who says "my penis (or scrotum, or vulva) itches a lot, therefore I might have herpes". Itching is a herpes symptom only when it precedes or accompanies an herpes sore, and in that case the itching goes away as the lesion heals. In other words, itching by itself generally is meaningless as evidence of herpes. The same reasoning applies to tingling or other symptoms of herpes prodrome, to unexplained genital pain, and to such nonspecific symptoms as muscle aches, fever, and all the other things that are listed on websites as herpes symptoms. All those symptoms are meaningless as evidence of herpes, unless other evidence also supports the herpes diagnosis--such as recurrent typical herpes sores.
Bottom line: If you want, you can have a blood test. Probably it will be negative for HSV-2, but even if it is positive, it will mean only that you have asymptomatic herpes plus the unexplained genital symptoms you describe above. (You could then be on the lookout for more specific herpes symptoms, i.e. recurrent genital area blisters/sores. But until such things were observed, you have asymptomatic herpes.) Whether or not you have a positive blood test, you need to stop searching the web--and also stop seeking answers through online advice services, like this one--and move on with your life.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
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1.) Statistically, what percent of people with asymptomatic herpes end up having an outbreak?
2.) I read that a lot of herpes tests come up wrong. I don't want to tell a future girlfriend I have asymptomatic herpes then scare her out of a meaningful relationship over a false positive. If I've never had an obvious outbreak, as I described, is it safe to play the dating game assuming you are clean?
Once alerted to the possibility of having herpes, such as from a positive blood test, within about 3 months somewhere around two thirds recognize typical symptoms that they previously missed. But that does not apply to you. Most infected people aren't nearly as anxious anc concerned as you are. If you had typical herpes symptoms, there is little doubt you would recognize them. That's one of the reasons I am so strongly convinced you aren't infected. If you have a blood test, the result will be negative--and you can count on that result being reliable.
As I said, let it go. If you cannot, ask your provider to recommend a professional mental health professional. It is not normal to be so concerned, and convined you are infected, despite such overwhelming evidence. I recommend it out of compassion, not criticism.
I won't have any further comments or advice.
I have nothing more to add.