CONFUSED

[shadow1974]

I have been dating this girl for a few months and we have had oral sex on a few occasions. About the same time period, about a month ago I noticed two whitehead pimples on my scrotum. I popped them like I normally would any pimple and puss came out normally. They eventually subsided and disappeared about two weeks later. There is now reddish color rash close and near that area. I then noticed about 5-6 very small miniscule whiteheads on the shaft of my penis a few days later. I popped them and they seemed like they instantly disappeared. There were not noticeable after I popped them. There was no residual affect after I popped them. At the same time I was getting jock itch and chafing (I think red crash). It seemed like it itched all over.  I get jock itch occasionally. I do exercise regularly and sometimes I don’t take a shower immediately after I exercise and my clothes are not loose fitted. I used Tinanctin and about two weeks later it went away.

However, now I am paranoid and it is constantly on my mind. It seems like when I think about the situation of what it could be I then get an itch in my genital area. I don’t know if it’s a combination of actual dry itchy skin and/or psychological affect because I am paranoid. It seems like it itches when I think about it, as it’s constantly on my mind. I now have high anxiety, headaches, my blood pressure has increased, and I have lost weight from the stress of the unknown. It seems like I may have dry skin in the area including my pubic area or I can be imagining it.I also noticed I itched near my knees  (not anymore). I noticed when I put on my clothes I had reside from the detergent I bought. I know I put too much detergent at times, and this is detergent I normally don’t use, as I normally use liquid and this is powdered cheap soap that I bought.

Any feedback would be great.What do you think it is?  If it is a skin reaction what can I use to cure it? Now there are many thoughts going on in my mind about my past. Between 6-12 years ago I did have single encounters of oral sex with a few girls and I know there can be no symptoms. I have never had any symptoms, but know people can show no symptoms

What is the % of people with genital herpes that have no symptoms?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You sound as though you are worrying an awful lot.  From reading your post, it appears that most of your recent exposures have been oral.  In addition, it seems as though you are concerned primarily about genital itching. Potential contributors that you mention include jock itch (not an STD), dry skin or a detergent reaction.  If I have this right (correct me if I have something wrong), there is little here that sounds like an STD.  Oral sex is not a high risk activity for catching STDs and the STDs that one catches through oral sex do not tend to be rash-type STDs.  If I am correct in my summary above, you have little to worry about.  If you have an unfamiliar rash, I would suggest you see a health care provider to get this sorted out.  There is no substitute for being able to have a clinician take a look at a skin rash.

Hope this helps.  EWH
p.s.  I would not worry about these problems being related to sex with anyone that you've had sex with more than six months ago.  EWH

[shadow1974]

To add more to my history. Late 2001 I tested negative for Ghonnoria and Chlymadia . Since that time I only had 1 sexual encounter (paranoid)  with a condom with a girl I knew. The condom broke. The only other sexual encounter is with my present gf and it has been oral sex.

Before 2001 I have a few single encounters of Oral Sex. Also,  I was dating a girl and we only had oral. At a later time I was dating another girl and we had oral/gential sex. What are my risks for STD's? I have never been tested for Herpes. I probably should have got tested for it in 2001. I don't think they did and they probably should have if I requested STD test right? Do they have to do a specific test for that?

Mike

[shadow1974]

Thanks for the insight. Were those probably pimples on scrotum and shaft as I described before? That's what I was concerned about. At times I get a little rash when my skin is irritated. Also, What is the % of people with genital herpes that have no symptoms?  Do no symptoms actually mean that people have no visible symtoms ever?

I remember in 2005 I had what looked like a small growth or a cyst on the bottom on my shaft on the inner portion when I lifted up my penis. It stayed there for about 6 weeks and went away. There was no color to it and no fluid inside. I did not have any sexual exposure during that time frame.

I had 1 sexual encounter with a condom with a girl I knew. The condom broke and that happened last year.


Mike

[Edward W Hook, MD]

As I said earlier, I have little to add to the question of what you describe as pimples on your scrotum.  The certainly do not sound like anything to worry about.  If you are, you need to be seen by someone who can examine you directly.

As for your question on herpes.  Here are the data for the US.  About 1 in 5 American adults has genital herpes due to HSV-1.  Of those about 90% do not know it.  For some this is because they misidentify their outbreaks but many probably do not have outbreaks.  EWH

[shadow1974]

I guess you can tell I'm a little paranoid, stressed, and feel guilty. Thanks for your feedback. Just a couple questions

1) If I have been (french) kissing someone with no visible cold sores, and they have had cold sores in the past what are the odds of contacting the virus?

2) What is the risk of exposure for performing oral sex on a girl on 1 occasion with somone who may/may not have an STD.

[shadow1974]

These are my last questions.

1) If someone passes along oral herpes HSV-1 (from cold sore) to another through kissing will symptoms show in the other person? Will you know if you obtained it?

2) While statistics vary, research shows that 90% of the population has been exposed to HSV-1, "oral herpes,"  Does that mean