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Objectivity for the Worried
I first wanted to express my gratitude for anyone that takes the time to address my concerns. It has been difficult to digest all the information out there on this subject and I think organizing my thoughts in this post and the subsequent follow up will be very beneficial for my mental well being.
I am a 36 year old male that was recently informed by my current sexual partner that she has genital herpes (she was under the impression that, despite her infection being on the genitals, she had HSV-1). She hasn't had an outbreak of any sort in over a year and has maintained a regiment of daily medication and antiviral creams prior to our sexual encounters. We engaged in approximately a half dozen sexual encounters over the past 4 monts. We engaged in mutual oral sex and unprotected sex. Our most recent encounter was approximately 1 week ago. I learned of her condition three days after our last encounter.
Since learning of my exposure my head has been racing and I have been under a lot of stress and anxiety. On Saturday I experienced mild irritation in my urethra. This sensation peaked on Sunday and could be described as a burning sensation that was uncomfortable but never painful. On Monday these symptoms started to subside and reverted back to occasional feelings of irritation. I examined my genitals closely and looked inside my urethra but saw no signs of irritation, redness, or blistering.
Today I started experiencing hyper sensitive skin if you will. I have had slight tingly sensations on my face, back, and other parts of my body. Repeated checking of my genitals still does not reveal any redness, sores, or obvious signs of irritation.
I realize the mind body connection is strong and anxiety is really taking a toll on my body and mind right now. I teeter between feeling this is all in my head to near certainty that I have been infected. I am looking for some objectivity here as I wade in a sea of uncertainty.
I am a 36 year old male that was recently informed by my current sexual partner that she has genital herpes (she was under the impression that, despite her infection being on the genitals, she had HSV-1). She hasn't had an outbreak of any sort in over a year and has maintained a regiment of daily medication and antiviral creams prior to our sexual encounters. We engaged in approximately a half dozen sexual encounters over the past 4 monts. We engaged in mutual oral sex and unprotected sex. Our most recent encounter was approximately 1 week ago. I learned of her condition three days after our last encounter.
Since learning of my exposure my head has been racing and I have been under a lot of stress and anxiety. On Saturday I experienced mild irritation in my urethra. This sensation peaked on Sunday and could be described as a burning sensation that was uncomfortable but never painful. On Monday these symptoms started to subside and reverted back to occasional feelings of irritation. I examined my genitals closely and looked inside my urethra but saw no signs of irritation, redness, or blistering.
Today I started experiencing hyper sensitive skin if you will. I have had slight tingly sensations on my face, back, and other parts of my body. Repeated checking of my genitals still does not reveal any redness, sores, or obvious signs of irritation.
I realize the mind body connection is strong and anxiety is really taking a toll on my body and mind right now. I teeter between feeling this is all in my head to near certainty that I have been infected. I am looking for some objectivity here as I wade in a sea of uncertainty.
it still sounds like your anxiety is the main issue here. you won't have all over the body symptoms like this with herpes.
you can't fully cover your std testing bases for 3 months after the last time you had sex. if you have a new partner, be sure to discuss together if you want to abstain from sex until you have completely testing or not.
grace
you can't fully cover your std testing bases for 3 months after the last time you had sex. if you have a new partner, be sure to discuss together if you want to abstain from sex until you have completely testing or not.
grace
I was able to confirm that my partner tested positive for hsv2. I am still experiencing slight tingling sensations over many parts of my body (back, legs, scalp, face, etc). It seems much more likely that it is nerves than anything else but perhaps that is too simplistic and overly optimistic. My concerns are elevated because so many times I have read that many people who are hsv2 positive don't ever realize it because the symptoms can be so mild. In any event, I am unable to report that I have experienced anything that resembles an undeniable symptom. What is your recommended course of action for testing and abstaining from sex with a different partner?
I vacillate between being near certain that I am just experiencing anxiety to almost certain that the virus was transmitted to me. It is a difficult way to go on each day. Prior to this exposure I was in the blind and ignorant camp so I was never tested myself. Since my most recent contact was only a week ago, it is my understanding that a blood test at this point would likely be inconclusive at best. Do you see any value in getting tested immediately? Would your assessment of my potential risk be different if were hsv2?
Thank you for your help.
Thank you for your help.
sounds like you heard herpes and now have a genially focused anxiety :(
hsv1 genitally hardly sheds at all and isn't likely to be transmitted to a partner. if you had contracted it, odds are you would've had a very obvious and painful ob, not the vague symptoms you've had.
have you ever been tested for herpes to know what your own status is?
grace
hsv1 genitally hardly sheds at all and isn't likely to be transmitted to a partner. if you had contracted it, odds are you would've had a very obvious and painful ob, not the vague symptoms you've had.
have you ever been tested for herpes to know what your own status is?
grace
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
