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STDs (Expert Forum)
some atypical herpes symptoms but no sores
Answered by
Edward W Hook, MD - HIV Prevention, stds
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.
some atypical herpes symptoms but no sores
by hockeyfan1, Oct 28, 2009 08:13PM
Dr, I am a 22 y/o male and my exposure happened about 6 1/2 weeks ago where i had a one night stand with unprotected oral (gave/recieved) as well as protected vaginal sex (however i was very intoxicated and it was a long night where 3 condoms were used so it is very likely that inserted my penis unprotected at somepoint during the encounter).
I instantly began to notice every tiny inflammation on my penis and instantly thought hsv2. 14 days post-exposure i developed tingling/ dull aching and sometimes shooting pains on my left side from my butt sometimes down to my feet. this happens intermittently. I have also developed a lot of redness and irritated spots on my penis head as well as the crown of my penis (prob. from continous inspection) I ocassically feel a dull aching in my testicles that i have never experienced before. By week 4 i started having muscle twitches all over my lower body (constantly) These twitches have never affected me before and i feel like these are all symptoms of herpes because even though i have no obvious lesions, my penis feels irritated/itchy and generally "not right" .At first i thought stress but these symptoms are too real and too physical to be in my head. i have been to the clinic 3 times and test neg. for all other STD's. my questions are:
1. Can these "atypical" symptoms occur without OBVIOUS lesions being present? These symptoms have been happening on and off for about 4 weeks now and still no sores
2. I have read that herpes doesnt cause these tingling in legs/ or muscle twitches. But many people say on forums that these exact symptoms were the only indicators to them as being infected. With that being said, what are the reasons why these REAL symptoms arent attributed to herpes even though hsv2 is a neuro disease and these are neurological ailments
3. Do you think its possible for me to have these symptoms for 4+ weeks without obvious blisters?
4. Can this be just stress/anxiety even though ALL these symptoms are very REAL
I instantly began to notice every tiny inflammation on my penis and instantly thought hsv2. 14 days post-exposure i developed tingling/ dull aching and sometimes shooting pains on my left side from my butt sometimes down to my feet. this happens intermittently. I have also developed a lot of redness and irritated spots on my penis head as well as the crown of my penis (prob. from continous inspection) I ocassically feel a dull aching in my testicles that i have never experienced before. By week 4 i started having muscle twitches all over my lower body (constantly) These twitches have never affected me before and i feel like these are all symptoms of herpes because even though i have no obvious lesions, my penis feels irritated/itchy and generally "not right" .At first i thought stress but these symptoms are too real and too physical to be in my head. i have been to the clinic 3 times and test neg. for all other STD's. my questions are:
1. Can these "atypical" symptoms occur without OBVIOUS lesions being present? These symptoms have been happening on and off for about 4 weeks now and still no sores
2. I have read that herpes doesnt cause these tingling in legs/ or muscle twitches. But many people say on forums that these exact symptoms were the only indicators to them as being infected. With that being said, what are the reasons why these REAL symptoms arent attributed to herpes even though hsv2 is a neuro disease and these are neurological ailments
3. Do you think its possible for me to have these symptoms for 4+ weeks without obvious blisters?
4. Can this be just stress/anxiety even though ALL these symptoms are very REAL
Doctor's Answer
by Edward W Hook, MD, Oct 28, 2009 09:42PM
, Oct 28, 2009 09:42PM
Dr. Handsfield and I share the forum. You got me. FYI, the reason we share the forum is because we have worked together for nearly 30 years and while our verbiage styles vary, we have never disagreed on management strategies or advice to clients.
Welcome to our Forum. Having read your description of your symptoms, I am confident that what you describe is not "atypical herpes" and is more likely than not an manifestation of your own anxiety over the exposure you describe. Let me share with you the reasons that I am not concerned that this might be herpes:
1. You state you had symptoms as inflammation "instantly" following your exposure. This is in no way consistent with HSV. The symptoms of herpes occur 4-10 days following exposure, no sooner.
2. As you acknowledge, you do not know that your partner had HSV and, even if she did, most exposures to sex partners with HSV do not lead to infection.
3. You have not experienced lesions or sores. If you had herpes you would have.
4. Your various aches and "twitches" are not at all suggestive of HSV but do suggest anxiety as the origin of your symptoms.
Bottom line- your well describe history in no way suggests HSV. You need not be concerned. I hope my comments provide you with reassurance regarding this. EWH
Welcome to our Forum. Having read your description of your symptoms, I am confident that what you describe is not "atypical herpes" and is more likely than not an manifestation of your own anxiety over the exposure you describe. Let me share with you the reasons that I am not concerned that this might be herpes:
1. You state you had symptoms as inflammation "instantly" following your exposure. This is in no way consistent with HSV. The symptoms of herpes occur 4-10 days following exposure, no sooner.
2. As you acknowledge, you do not know that your partner had HSV and, even if she did, most exposures to sex partners with HSV do not lead to infection.
3. You have not experienced lesions or sores. If you had herpes you would have.
4. Your various aches and "twitches" are not at all suggestive of HSV but do suggest anxiety as the origin of your symptoms.
Bottom line- your well describe history in no way suggests HSV. You need not be concerned. I hope my comments provide you with reassurance regarding this. EWH
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Thanks!
if anyone else had similar symptoms and too found out it was just anxiety that would furthermore help ease my mind! thank you
Dr. I thank you again for your response, it really brought my stress down completely. However, I remain concerned because the muscle twitches in my legs and groin area have continued today plus an aching and numbness on my left side from my buttocks down through my legs along with a dull ache in my left testicle (never happend to me before, and again i can sure you it is a "real" pain). I am concerned because this is continuing despite my low level of stress and yet i continue to experience these newly acquired symptoms that coincidentally started about two weeks after exposure. I have also researched online about many sufferers of hsv2 noting that the only warning signs they experienced that they had contracted the virus is from the muscle twitches and constant pains in their legs on one side as well. I respect your expertise and as i am a recent college graduate i no longer have health insurance and cannot go to the doctor so i would appreciate if you could tell me why do you think some hsv2 people feel like these symptoms are very much associated with hsv2??? Furthermore, i learned that herpes is a neurological virus and lives in the nerve ganglia. Because of this, why is that herpes shouldnt be connected to these symptoms since they are active in the nervous system and affect people around this general area. I have read in other fourms that you both do not feel like this is associated and i was just curious why this cant be connected despite the fact that herpes travels through the nervous system...again, i'm confident that this is the case but i would just like to know why because these "weird" symptoms started a few weeks after exposure and even though i havent developed sores, my penis still is noticably irritated and painful...thank you again so much for your time i really appreciate it!
Nothing more to say. Sorry. EWH