What are my chances of herpes?

[Dyingofworry]

Hi all,

First time in this platform. Seriously need some advice. I have no one to talk to and I’m going insane.

Here’s my story. I am a 31 year old male.

19th April. Met another male. He masturbated me and when I’m about to ejaculate, I ejaculated in his mouth. No oral sex. My penis was just near his mouth.

After which he licked the remaining ejaculate of my penis. I believe it would be the head.

This was the encounter.

29th April. I felt burning sensation when I peed. I saw the tip of my penis inflamed. This lasted for around 4-5 days

3rd May. I went to the doctor and did some blood work and urine. Urine results came back: 36 WBC 5RBC. Trace of blood. Positive for mucus thread and bacteria. Positive for PUS cell and occasional for Epithelial. Was prescribed Doxycycline and Ciprofloxacin.

8th May. Went to the doctor again as I’m losing my mind thinking this is herpes. I have convinced myself that I have acquired herpes. Doctor re-examined my penis and checked my urethra. He did no see any visible sores. Doctor said he’s seen many cases and it’s very unlikely that I can contract HSV.

I decided to draw blood again as it’s at 3 weeks since possible exposure. Now I’m awaiting results.

My questions:

1. Is this a possible transmission? My doctor says this is extremely low risk.

2. Whatever I’m experiencing, is this normal for herpes?

3. Is herpes acquired this way and can it be transmitted via a lick? There’s was no other contact except for the masturbation and the lick mentioned.

I have a partner of 10 years and I am crying every night and I don’t know how to avoid being sexual.

I need some answer or explanation as my anxiety over acquiring herpes is making lose my mind. My doctor also prescribed me anti anxiety pills.

Thank you all.

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hello. We're sorry you are so anxious but our community leader has said clearly that this is not an STD. Please continue to work with your doctor as to the cause of your rash.

***  thread closed ***

[auntiejessi]

1. Is this a possible transmission? My doctor says this is extremely low risk.

I agree totally with your doctor. The lick, in theory, could transmit, but honestly, it's not anything I'd ever worry about.

2. Whatever I’m experiencing, is this normal for herpes?

Nope. If you had sores internally, from what I understand from men, peeing would HURT. We're talking serious, take you to the ER kind of pain here.

It also wouldn't cause you to test positive for bacteria. Herpes is a virus.

3. Is herpes acquired this way and can it be transmitted via a lick? There’s was no other contact except for the masturbation and the lick mentioned.

As I mentioned in #1, in theory, can be transmitted via a lick. In practice, it isn't ever transmitted by such quick contact, and is almost always transmitted by lips, not the tongue.

What you have is called NGU, which is non-gonococcal urethritis, which is any infection in the urethritis not caused by gonorrhea. If you hadn't had the lick, we'd call it a urinary tract infection, and it might be. You check all the boxes - wbc, rbc, bacteria, pus, blood.

Was any lube or anything used? Sometimes that can cause an infection if it gets into the urethra.

It could also be just a UTI, and the timing is an ugly coincidence.

Did the doctor send your urine off for culture? Do any other testing?

I would be large sums of money that this is not herpes.

[Dyingofworry]

Thank you for your kind reply.

No lube was used during the masturbation.

I did a full STD screen on the 3rd of May. Negative for both Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia.

For urine:
Pus Cells +
Epithelial Cells Occasional
Gram Negative Diplococci Nil
Monilia Nil Trichomonas Nil
Clue Cells Nil

No significant growth after prolonged incubation of 48 hours.

Negative for HIV, Syphilis HPV, and HSV 1/2 (I know 2 weeks is too early)

Indeed my doctor also said that my episode of UTI or NGU could be a mere coincidence because of the time frame. But I refuse to believe it and have still convinced myself that I have contacted HSV via that encounter.

During the time when I had burning whilst peeing it was painful too especially at the tip of the penis.

Every single moment when I’m awake I’m online reading, looking at pictures and trying to match my symptoms. It’s like I 1000% have and just waiting to show a positive result on my test.

I’m losing my mind badly. If I’m not in relationship I think I’ll still be okay. It’s because I have been unfaithful to my partner.

[Dyingofworry]

Update: I have gotten back my HSV 1/2 results at 3 weeks. Non-Reactive.

[auntiejessi]

"But I refuse to believe it and have still convinced myself that I have contacted HSV via that encounter."

That's a guilt/anxiety reaction. That's something that a therapist can help you with. Science says it's not hsv, and searching Google to confirm your fears isn't helping your mental health.

Your doctor and I both said the same thing - NGU/UTI. We both agreed not hsv. You are convinced it's herpes, and nothing I say is going to convince you otherwise.

Look up catastrophic thinking. Find a therapist.

Does your regular partner give you oral sex? This could be caused from normal mouth bacteria from them giving you oral, or if they've been sick or had a mouth infection, it could be from that, too.

Guilt doesn't equal risk. Find a good therapist. Save yourself weeks of angst.

[Dyingofworry]

Thank you for your reply.

I appreciate it very much.

I haven’t had any sexual contact with my partner prior and ever since the exposure.

I understand googling and reading isn’t helping.

The tip of my penis is still red and looks raw. It’s been like this for more than a week.

The pain in urinating is long gone but is it normal for the redness on tip to still be present?

I’ll be going to my doctors tomorrow and I’m planning to get another test at the 4 week mark.

I thank you so very much.

[auntiejessi]

So first, stop testing so much.

There are false positives on the hsv2 test. You aren't even at risk for hsv2, but at some point, you might get one, and that will cause so much anxiety.

The hsv1 IgG test misses 30% of infections. I don't know why you are doing blood tests this early anyway.

You might already have oral hsv1, be asymptomatic like 90% of those that have it, and be among the 30% that the test misses.

STOP TESTING.

Seriously. You are going to get a false positive and just screw yourself up even more.

Also, you are getting what sounds like a combo test that doesn't differentiate between 1 and 2, and it's not helpful at all. If it comes back positive, it might be a false positive for type 2 - again, you aren't at risk for that because that's not transmitted orally.

We don't expect a lot from our readers, but we do expect you to read what we say. This is an anxiety/guilt issue. You totally blew right over my suggestion for a therapist and to look up catastrophic thinking.

The tip of your penis looks red and raw because you had an infection in your urethra. That's not from herpes.

Put the mouse down and step away from the Google unless it's to find a therapist.

Since you absolutely won't look it up -

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/dec/29/stop-catastrophising-expert-guide-psychologist

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/catastrophizing

https://psychcentral.com/lib/what-is-catastrophizing#definition

[Dyingofworry]

Thank you for your kind reply.

I’ll try my best to stop having these tests done. I visited my doctor today and he mentioned to complete my anti-biotics and return in two weeks for my urine test.

I have read the links provided and yes I’m aware that I’m going through this phase. The HSV Tests I took I believe it’s a separate and detects each type separately. I guess at this point it’s irrelevant. I have never tested positive for any.

I really appreciate you taking the time to reply and respond. At least I have someone to share. I really thank you.

My next concern would be, can I resume any sexual activity with my partner? It’s almost been a month since we had any.

[auntiejessi]

I wouldn't have any sexual contact with your partner until you've finished your antibiotics or your symptoms clear up - whichever is later.

Can you tell your partner you have a UTI? Basically, that's what you have.

[Dyingofworry]

Hi AJ,

Thank you for your kind reply.

I’ll be ending my course of meds this Wednesday. A full 10 days.

Should I get anymore testing done? Or any specific test?

Doctor recommended urine test after my antibiotics.

Thank you so very much

[auntiejessi]

I would wait a couple of weeks after finishing the antibiotics if you are retesting - you could get a false negative otherwise, but follow your doctor's instructions. This is not an STI, and he's not treating you for an STI - no STI is treated with 10 days of antibiotics.

[Dyingofworry]

Hi AJ,

Today I started developing itchy rash all over my body. From my feet till my neck.

I went to my doctor yesterday and did a HIV 4th gen finger prick and was negative.

I’m awaiting my urine results after my anti biotic.

I don’t understand why I’m experiencing such symptoms.

It’s making my mental health worse.