herpes question

[allew]

hi,

  I had unprotected vaginal sex twice (once at night and once in the morning) about 9 days ago with young woman and have been stressing out all week about possible std's.  Ive had this burning sensation the last two days on the side of my penis...there is nothing there, the skin looks normal and my urination is fine.  I checked her over and didnt see anything abnormal on her vagina. I went and saw a doctor about possible herpes and said its probably just in my head.  Anyway, dont most people show some sort of sign within the first 2 weeks of acquiring herpes? Ive heard that youll see some sort of sore or mark that would indicate herpes, is this true?  If i dont see anything within the next week can i be pretty confident i didnt get anything?
Im going to get tested this week for all std's and 1 month for hiv....but i just cant get the herpes thing out of my head.  I confronted the girl about it and she said she was tested and clean....but it couldve been a lie.  What do you think the possibilities that i have contracted herpes or something else are?

thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

"Sounds pretty rational to me."

Huh???  Are you serious?  That is flatly illogical by any measure.  Test any 100 people who had recent unprotected sex for HSV-1.  Fifty of them will be positive.  Now name any symptom they may have:  headaches, back pain, diarrhea, burning genitals.  Does the positive test mean that all those symptoms are due to herpes?

[AlexAZ]

1) Unprotected Sex
2) Burning sensations in groin area
3) Positive test for HSV-1

'Sounds pretty rational to me :o)~


The best description of herpes that I've read is when you described it as a protean disease -- in that it affects everybody differently.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I am unaware of any STD that causes a burning sensation of the skin as its only symptom.  You have no rational basis to assume your postive HSV-1 test is new.

Of course increased exposure increase the risk of STD.  But the risk of acquiring herpes is low for any single exposure

HHH, MD

[AlexAZ]

"No STD causes a burning sensation with no visible abnormality of the affected part."

Hello,
Are there exceptions to the above statement?

My inner thighs have a burning sensation with no visible abnormality. I have tested positive for HSV-1. I feel that this is a recent infection since I've never had these burning sensations before.

I'm also confused about the statement "...minimal risk associated with a single exposure..."
We all acquire herpes by a single exposure, don't we?

Thanks.

[klukaia]

oh yeah, and is it a constant tingling until the sores erupt or does it come and go?

[klukaia]

Can someone please describe what HSV prodrome actually feels like?  Is it a light numb tingling sensation, a crawling feeling, or is more overt, like that pins and needle feeling?

[gracefromHHP]

The majority of folks will test accurately on the herpes select by the 4 month mark.

[worryward]

Thank you, Grace. So, you don't think I need another test at 5 months then?

[worryward]

Can we say that a 4 month Herpes Select Test is conclusive? I just had one done for my peace of mind. I see it written a few place that HSV2 can take up to 5 months to show up.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

No.

[iamscared!]

I had a similar experience where I grabbed a massage parlor girl bare butt for 20 seconds..I know herpes can be on the butt so could I get it from that?

[gracefromHHP]

Actually the majority of folks who acquire hsv2 genitally don't even realize that they have done so. If you are going to show obvious symptoms of a herpes infection they will appear within 2 to 20 days after the encounter. You can get a baseline herpes blood test now to see if you've actually had herpes prior to this and just didn't know it and then repeat it in 3 or 4 months if you need the peace of mind from this encounter.

The harder you look for signs of "something" the more likely you are to find something.  I know it's way easier said than done but try to stop thinking about std's and call off the "crotchwatch".  There's not too much more you can do than follow up with the testing you have already decided to follow up with.  You can also ask the gal you were with to please provide you with copies of her last std testing, specifically her herpes test results too if you want.  The chances of contracting herpes from a one day encounter are pretty low, though it happens, but try to keep it in perspective and try not to worry anymore than you already have about it.

[allew]

sorry,


  i know im just overreacting, but the stress is a bit much.  Could you please answer this....dont most people show something within the first few weeks? like a sore of some sort or a blister?  after this i promise ill leave the posting open for other people:)

thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

No STD causes a burning sensation with no visible abnormality of the affected part.  Your doctor was right and I have ntohing to add.  From your description, both here on the question you asked a few days ago on the HIV prevention forum, you seem to be badly overreacting to a very low risk situation.  Your symptoms almost certainly relfect nothing but your anxiety and I see no need for further STD testing.  But follow the advice of your health care provider.

This is your last permitted new thread on either forum for at least 6 months.

HHH, MD