26/M .Had protected vaginal sex and unprotected oral sex with partner I trust a while back. First time in 6 years for intercourse, have had two partners previous to this. For what it’s worth, partner has no knowledge of herpes symptoms, nor has her last partner (exclusive boyfriend of 3+years).
Days 2-5: Very mild intermittent itch in pubic area (base of penis shaft and pubic area above)
Days 6-7: Become obsessed about itch, start googling and fear herpes. Start feeling itch/warmness/burning in thighs feeling. Read that that is a symptom of herpes infection. Anxiety level extremely high.
Day 8: See walk-in clinic doctor who tells me I'm obsessing over nothing. Showed small bump on penis head, he was not concerned (has not changed in three weeks since so I’m ok with it as well).
Days 9 – 15: Itching/burning feeling comes and goes, far more subtle. I am calmer.
Days 15-20: Flu-like symptoms: sore throat, coughing, runny nose, sinus pain, body aches. Normal to have a bad cold this time of year, not sure what to make of this...
Days 19-26: Gastritis-like feelings: bile-heartburn, intermittent bloating, periodic nausea.
Days 26-28: Feel fine overall, though I still get periodic itching and thigh-burning.
I have had no visual indications of herpes; no blisters or sores or anything (and I have been looking obsessively for them).
I''m looking into HSV blood testing, however I am afraid that a positive HSV1 result will leave me forever wondering if it is due to a cold sore as a child (I cannot remember if I’ve had one or not, but both my parents have, so I just don’t know), or to a recent genital infection.
I’m scared that these symptoms may be the “subtle symptoms” that people miss out on resulting in them being the X% that are infected and un-aware. I’m afraid to make sexual contact with others as a result of this.
What do you think? I need some guidance badly...