concern for genital herpes exposure

[jog4life123]

I have a concern that I may have put myself in danger of catching genital herpes. I had a massage and she licked my testicles for 20 seconds or so she made no contact with my shaft or penis head. She onlu made contact with my testicles before I stopped. I'm very worried that I put myself in jeoporday of catching genital herpes frrom this exposure. I didn't see any cold sores but they say it can be in saliva. Did I put myself in jeoporday of catching herpes and should I refrain from having sex with my girlfriend for fear of passing it on to her. Please advise as I'm worried.

[jog4life123]

Thanks again for your patience.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No.  If you had crabs you would see them. Focusing on virtually any part of the body will amplify symptoms and cause areas that would normally not be symptomatic to itch.  Please try to put your concnerns aside. They are not warranted.  EWH

[jog4life123]

I have had significant itching in the scrotum region. Could I have caught crabs from getting the massage being that I lied naked on a towel. This is the last question I promise please advise.

[jog4life123]

Thank you for your reply I appreciate it.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No change in my answer or advice.  You are over reacting.  EWH

[jog4life123]

Dr about 42 hours after this incident - have been self examining my testicles - -I have notices 2 very small dark colorod circles their not raised at all but I'm not sure if they were there prior to the exposure.  I have look at ppics of herpes the concern I have is a few images have showed dark colored lesions these are very small and fade a bit when I stretch the skin, I also have some itchiness in the testicle region should I be concerned of these symptoms. Please advise

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, it is OK.  EWH

[jog4life123]

Do you think its ok to have sexual activity the concern for exposure happened today.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum,  You do not mention the timing of this exposure but my guess is that, even without know how long ago this exposure occurred,  this is not a concern.  For starters, the major type of herpes you might catch from this exposure is HSV-1, the virus that typically causes cold sores  (oral HSV-2 is very rare and not well transmitted by people who have it).  If you get cold sores, you cannot get the virus again. If you do not get cold sores, there is still a greater than 50% probability that you have HSV-1 and do not know it.   As I said, above, is this is the case, you have no concern.


In the unlikely situation they she has HSV-1 and you do not, if she did not have an obvious cold sore on her lip, the risk of getting HSV is also very low, estimated to be a 1 in 10,000 chance.  

Finally, if you get HSV, you will know it through the development of lesions. If you do not develop lesions within 14 days of exposure, you really have nothing to worry about.

I hope these comments are helpful to you.  As I said, I believe your risk for HSV from the exposure you describe is very, very low.  EWH