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Worried and confused
Very worried about an intoxicated sexual encounter I had 7 weeks ago (one nightstand- stupid, i know). I had protected/unprotected sex with a woman who told me she has genital herpes. While engaged in sexual intercourse the condom came off and we had direct genital to genital contact. I'm unsure of the length of direct contact, but I believe it was brief in duration. She told me she was on daily medication and had not had an outbreak in two years.
Very soon after, I started getting very stressed about my decision and the fact that I had direct genital contact with someone who has genital herpes. Within days, I started to have what I am told are anxiety/stress related symptoms, headaches, trouble sleeping, pain in my lower back, very tight shoulders, warm tingling feeling in my genital area. On the 13Th day, I noticed 2 red blotchy rashs, about the size of a nickel on my scrotum. I went to Planned Parenthood and had a visual exam. The doctor did not believe the rash was consistent with genital herpes and thought it could be hives due to my stress level. I was prescribed Valtrex anyway due to the fact that I was starting a new relationship and I was concerned it would turn sexual and I did not want to expose another person to HSV2.
I started to feel better about my situation and did start a new sextual relationship. However, during intercourse in the new relationship, I have found that I am getting red irritated skin and slight "cuts" on my penis under the condom (goes away in 2-3 days). I'm not sure is this from rough foreplay or actual sextual intercouse. The problem is, this never happened before my "exposure" 7 weeks ago. My stress/anxiety level has gone through the roof again. I'm afraid I may have exposed an innocent new partner to HSV2. Just today I noticed a large rash over the entire front of my scrotum. The rash has very small bumps, is not red in color, but does make my scrotum look "wrinkleyer" than usual. I have had no pain or clusters of bumps at ooze and crust over like "classic" genital herpes symptoms, but have felt warm tingling sensations in my genital area. I just made another appointment to get blood tested for genital herpes but the earliest they can see me is this Friday. 1) does this seem consistent with Genital Herpes symptoms? 2) is it too early to have a herpes blood test at 7-8 weeks? (I have also had cold sores since I was a child, so I know I'm HSV1 positive). 3) Could the rash on my scrotum be stress related? Could this be coincidence and be due to a yeast infection? Please help, very worried and confused.
Very soon after, I started getting very stressed about my decision and the fact that I had direct genital contact with someone who has genital herpes. Within days, I started to have what I am told are anxiety/stress related symptoms, headaches, trouble sleeping, pain in my lower back, very tight shoulders, warm tingling feeling in my genital area. On the 13Th day, I noticed 2 red blotchy rashs, about the size of a nickel on my scrotum. I went to Planned Parenthood and had a visual exam. The doctor did not believe the rash was consistent with genital herpes and thought it could be hives due to my stress level. I was prescribed Valtrex anyway due to the fact that I was starting a new relationship and I was concerned it would turn sexual and I did not want to expose another person to HSV2.
I started to feel better about my situation and did start a new sextual relationship. However, during intercourse in the new relationship, I have found that I am getting red irritated skin and slight "cuts" on my penis under the condom (goes away in 2-3 days). I'm not sure is this from rough foreplay or actual sextual intercouse. The problem is, this never happened before my "exposure" 7 weeks ago. My stress/anxiety level has gone through the roof again. I'm afraid I may have exposed an innocent new partner to HSV2. Just today I noticed a large rash over the entire front of my scrotum. The rash has very small bumps, is not red in color, but does make my scrotum look "wrinkleyer" than usual. I have had no pain or clusters of bumps at ooze and crust over like "classic" genital herpes symptoms, but have felt warm tingling sensations in my genital area. I just made another appointment to get blood tested for genital herpes but the earliest they can see me is this Friday. 1) does this seem consistent with Genital Herpes symptoms? 2) is it too early to have a herpes blood test at 7-8 weeks? (I have also had cold sores since I was a child, so I know I'm HSV1 positive). 3) Could the rash on my scrotum be stress related? Could this be coincidence and be due to a yeast infection? Please help, very worried and confused.
Well, I went to Planned Parenthood today to get Herpes tested and I'm now waiting for the results. Just today, I noticed additional hot, red and itchy rash patchs on both sides of my penis. No sores, cuts or lesions, but definitely red and itchy patchs. I'm again worried that I'm having some sort of herpes symptoms. MD HHH, can you provide me with you thoughts on these new symptoms? Thank again for your insite.
Yes
Medhelp international is what it said on my online statement
Lutheran,
just MedHelp International?
just MedHelp International?
Just a quick question regarding credit card payments: my parents get my statements, what does it say on the statement?
Sorry for posting here.
Sorry for posting here.
My statement said Med Help International Melbourne FL.
Well thanks for the response, MD. I feel slightly better, but not completely at ease. With the high percentage of people having no symptoms or symptoms that are easily missed, I think there is still a very good change i have GH. I just can't beleive all these rashs & cuts are stress related and only located in my genital area.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Well, 25% of the population has HSV-2. So you're right, in a way; veryone has a "very good chance" of having GH. That's why my initial response says "If your HSV-2 test is positive, it will not prove you caught it during the exposure you are concerned about." On the other hand, a negative result (done at least 3 months after exposure) will confirm my believe herpes has nothing to do with your symptoms.
HHH, MD
HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Most people with recurrent genital herpes have asymptomatic viral shedding less 5% of the time, so if your partner wasn't having a symptomatic outbreak, the likelihood you were exposed to the virus was only 1 chance in 20. Even if she did, the odds of getting infected still were low. (In mongamous heterosexual couples in which one person has genital HSV-2 and the other doesn't, and who have sex 2-4 times per week without condoms, only 3% of couples experience herpes transmission per year.) To the likelihood you were infected was low.
I don't know what to make of the skin lesions ("cuts") you see under the condom. Herpes lesions do not resolve in only 2-3 days. Maybe irritation from lubricant, especially if it contains nonoxynol 9 or another spermicide. None of your other symptoms even hints at herpes. To answer your specific questions:
1) None of your symptoms suggest herpes except the penile lesions--and I have doubt about those.
2) You could be tested now. A negative HSV-2 result will be highly reassuring but not perfectly so; if negative, you might want to be tested again at 3 months. Or just wait until then; no harm will result. If your HSV-2 test is positive, it will not prove you caught it during the exposure you are concerned about.
3) I cannot diagnose any rash/irritation long distance. But as I have said innumerable times, when a person believes his or her own symptoms might be due to stress, probably they usually are right.
Yes, it could all be stress. Nothing you describe sounds much like yeast infection. But of course if your symptoms persist, see a health care provider. In the meantime, calm down. Most likely nothing serious is in the works.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
I don't know what to make of the skin lesions ("cuts") you see under the condom. Herpes lesions do not resolve in only 2-3 days. Maybe irritation from lubricant, especially if it contains nonoxynol 9 or another spermicide. None of your other symptoms even hints at herpes. To answer your specific questions:
1) None of your symptoms suggest herpes except the penile lesions--and I have doubt about those.
2) You could be tested now. A negative HSV-2 result will be highly reassuring but not perfectly so; if negative, you might want to be tested again at 3 months. Or just wait until then; no harm will result. If your HSV-2 test is positive, it will not prove you caught it during the exposure you are concerned about.
3) I cannot diagnose any rash/irritation long distance. But as I have said innumerable times, when a person believes his or her own symptoms might be due to stress, probably they usually are right.
Yes, it could all be stress. Nothing you describe sounds much like yeast infection. But of course if your symptoms persist, see a health care provider. In the meantime, calm down. Most likely nothing serious is in the works.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
