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Possible Herpes Exposure - please help
I am a 25 year old female. I’ve been freaking out for the past few weeks about the possibility of Genital Herpes. I have not had sex since Aug 2011 and I have been tested since then, so I know I didn’t have anything prior to this encounter.
2/18/12: I had “sexual contact” with a male friend (no condom). It was NOT intercourse, but basically he was rubbing his penis around my anus/buttocks. It lasted about 5 minutes. Then he ejaculated. I was unaware for a minute. The semen was all over my upper thighs and inside my buttocks. A few minutes later I jumped in the shower and washed it off. We were at a vacation home and I used random soap that was there.
Having a very wrong idea of STD transmission, I was worried about the body fluid. A small amount could have gotten inside. Then, I read that merely skin-to-skin contact can spread HSV. Less than 24 hours later, (about 18 hours) I noticed a small red rash on the buttocks. At that point I flipped out. The paranoia unleashed and I decided to take a Plan-B in case any of the semen did get inside the vagina from behind.
2/19 – 2/21: At home about a day or two later I noticed a tingling and slight burning sensation inside the buttocks, the exact same area that had contact with his penis. This sensation occurred for about 3 consecutive days only at night. I also felt a slight burning on the backs of my legs. This could have possibly been caused by new soap I was using, I was staying at my parents’ house and I washed the area.
The rash grew a bit and appeared on the buttocks and thighs. It was red and blotchy. After reading about herpes online I was very convinced I had it and the emotions were awful. I had panic attacks and did not eat or sleep.
2/22: I went to my PCP and she took a close look at the rash. She said with strong confidence “okay that is NOT herpes! It looks like a heat rash.” “Usually we take a sample of sores but there are no sores to swab. Come back if you have symptoms.” I got the blood test and went on my way.
I still wasn’t relieved because of everything I was reading online. Some cases can be very mild and some people don’t even have symptoms. I thought this rash could be a mild symptom. I also noticed a few small red dots on the buttocks area. They never formed into sores and seemed to kind of come and go. The rash was in fact very mild but my mind was sick with fear.
2/24: Blood test negative (they said my "tighters" were negative). I know this doesn't mean much of anything except I didn’t have it before, since it takes several weeks for antibodies to be detectable. Unable to cope with the anxiety, I called the doctor again and they referred me to OBGYN. He took a close look at everything and said the exact same thing. “I can tell you right now 100% that is NOT herpes.” He said I noticed the rash “too early” and typically symptoms appear within 7 to 14 days. He offered other explanations such as the new soap. As for my other symptoms (general malaise, loss of appetite) he said those are all emotional. Once he said that I felt relieved and those emotional symptoms got better. He gave me topical fluocinonide cream and told me it should resolve within about a week.
I applied the cream to the area and it caused a tingly sensation. It seemed to help reduce the redness.
2/28: I had shaven my vaginal area with a disposable razor one week prior. When the hair started growing back I noticed a small red bump. I usually get irritation after shaving (small red areas) but never before had I noticed an actual raised bump. It was tiny, red and circular. It went away after a few days. This was a concern since I had never had an actual raised red bump after shaving before.
3/2: I had been applying the cream for about a week. I was worried because I got a very dry crackly somewhat painful feeling in the inside of the buttocks next to the anus. Then I read that fluocinonide cream should not be applied to sensitive areas such as the groin or near the anus. It should have just been the outside of the buttocks and that’s probably what had caused the irritation. This dryness and slight discomfort lasted about five days and then fully resolved.
3/9: After another self-inspection of the buttocks area, I determined that it still looked a little red and bumpy. I did notice other tiny patches of redness which seem to come and go. I wondered if that is just normal and I have sensitive skin.
3/18: Now, four weeks later, I have come down with a nasty cold/flu. I am sneezing, I have a sinus headache, swollen glands in the neck, a low fever (99.1), general aches, and back pain. I am back to freaking out. I know that flu-like symptoms can be a sign of genital herpes. The illness was mild for one day and the next day I can barely get out of bed. I am hoping this is a coincidence. I know it is a bit late 4 weeks / 29 days after possible exposure (symptoms typically appear within 2-20 days). Still though, I am struggling with horrible anxiety. All of these symptoms are very coincidental.
Summary: Rash, small red bumps (not sores), one small red raised bump, mild fever, fatigue, general malaise, aches.
The anxiety and stress could be a factor here.
As for the guy’s history, it was like pulling teeth to get information from him. He told me he had sex with a “slutty” girl at the beginning of the summer 2011 so he decided to get tested was tested back in Oct 2011. He said he DID wear a condom and hasn’t had unprotected sex in years. I asked him to call and make sure they actually tested for HSV which apparently he called and they did, it was negative. He also said he has never had any symptoms. IF he is telling the truth, I know the chances are low. Even if he does have it, he would have had to be shedding the virus at that exact time. I read it is only like a 10% chance. However those numbers don’t mean much in the presence of possible symptoms.
I am planning to get another blood test at week 8, then again in 16. I’m having a really hard time and I am especially concerned with my current flu symptoms. If anyone could please provide some advice that would be greatly appreciated.
2/18/12: I had “sexual contact” with a male friend (no condom). It was NOT intercourse, but basically he was rubbing his penis around my anus/buttocks. It lasted about 5 minutes. Then he ejaculated. I was unaware for a minute. The semen was all over my upper thighs and inside my buttocks. A few minutes later I jumped in the shower and washed it off. We were at a vacation home and I used random soap that was there.
Having a very wrong idea of STD transmission, I was worried about the body fluid. A small amount could have gotten inside. Then, I read that merely skin-to-skin contact can spread HSV. Less than 24 hours later, (about 18 hours) I noticed a small red rash on the buttocks. At that point I flipped out. The paranoia unleashed and I decided to take a Plan-B in case any of the semen did get inside the vagina from behind.
2/19 – 2/21: At home about a day or two later I noticed a tingling and slight burning sensation inside the buttocks, the exact same area that had contact with his penis. This sensation occurred for about 3 consecutive days only at night. I also felt a slight burning on the backs of my legs. This could have possibly been caused by new soap I was using, I was staying at my parents’ house and I washed the area.
The rash grew a bit and appeared on the buttocks and thighs. It was red and blotchy. After reading about herpes online I was very convinced I had it and the emotions were awful. I had panic attacks and did not eat or sleep.
2/22: I went to my PCP and she took a close look at the rash. She said with strong confidence “okay that is NOT herpes! It looks like a heat rash.” “Usually we take a sample of sores but there are no sores to swab. Come back if you have symptoms.” I got the blood test and went on my way.
I still wasn’t relieved because of everything I was reading online. Some cases can be very mild and some people don’t even have symptoms. I thought this rash could be a mild symptom. I also noticed a few small red dots on the buttocks area. They never formed into sores and seemed to kind of come and go. The rash was in fact very mild but my mind was sick with fear.
2/24: Blood test negative (they said my "tighters" were negative). I know this doesn't mean much of anything except I didn’t have it before, since it takes several weeks for antibodies to be detectable. Unable to cope with the anxiety, I called the doctor again and they referred me to OBGYN. He took a close look at everything and said the exact same thing. “I can tell you right now 100% that is NOT herpes.” He said I noticed the rash “too early” and typically symptoms appear within 7 to 14 days. He offered other explanations such as the new soap. As for my other symptoms (general malaise, loss of appetite) he said those are all emotional. Once he said that I felt relieved and those emotional symptoms got better. He gave me topical fluocinonide cream and told me it should resolve within about a week.
I applied the cream to the area and it caused a tingly sensation. It seemed to help reduce the redness.
2/28: I had shaven my vaginal area with a disposable razor one week prior. When the hair started growing back I noticed a small red bump. I usually get irritation after shaving (small red areas) but never before had I noticed an actual raised bump. It was tiny, red and circular. It went away after a few days. This was a concern since I had never had an actual raised red bump after shaving before.
3/2: I had been applying the cream for about a week. I was worried because I got a very dry crackly somewhat painful feeling in the inside of the buttocks next to the anus. Then I read that fluocinonide cream should not be applied to sensitive areas such as the groin or near the anus. It should have just been the outside of the buttocks and that’s probably what had caused the irritation. This dryness and slight discomfort lasted about five days and then fully resolved.
3/9: After another self-inspection of the buttocks area, I determined that it still looked a little red and bumpy. I did notice other tiny patches of redness which seem to come and go. I wondered if that is just normal and I have sensitive skin.
3/18: Now, four weeks later, I have come down with a nasty cold/flu. I am sneezing, I have a sinus headache, swollen glands in the neck, a low fever (99.1), general aches, and back pain. I am back to freaking out. I know that flu-like symptoms can be a sign of genital herpes. The illness was mild for one day and the next day I can barely get out of bed. I am hoping this is a coincidence. I know it is a bit late 4 weeks / 29 days after possible exposure (symptoms typically appear within 2-20 days). Still though, I am struggling with horrible anxiety. All of these symptoms are very coincidental.
Summary: Rash, small red bumps (not sores), one small red raised bump, mild fever, fatigue, general malaise, aches.
The anxiety and stress could be a factor here.
As for the guy’s history, it was like pulling teeth to get information from him. He told me he had sex with a “slutty” girl at the beginning of the summer 2011 so he decided to get tested was tested back in Oct 2011. He said he DID wear a condom and hasn’t had unprotected sex in years. I asked him to call and make sure they actually tested for HSV which apparently he called and they did, it was negative. He also said he has never had any symptoms. IF he is telling the truth, I know the chances are low. Even if he does have it, he would have had to be shedding the virus at that exact time. I read it is only like a 10% chance. However those numbers don’t mean much in the presence of possible symptoms.
I am planning to get another blood test at week 8, then again in 16. I’m having a really hard time and I am especially concerned with my current flu symptoms. If anyone could please provide some advice that would be greatly appreciated.
even if he is lying about his status, that doesn't necessarily mean that you have caught it. i would believe the professionals who have seen you with their own eyes, rather than stories that you read on the internet.
I guess I am just paranoid because I know he sleeps around and has been known to lie once in a while. But if what he told me is true I shouldn’t have anything to worry about. I will see a counselor. I appreciate the advice. Thanks for taking the time to read through my story.
Maybe you need to see a counselor? 2 professionals told you that without a doubt it was not herpes. Your friend that you think you may have contracted the virus from was tested negative, plus he has never had symptoms. You don't have herpes. Stop worrying. If you continue to experience anxiety seek advice from a counselor that can help you with your anxiety.
it sounds like you just have a cold
Yeah, it’s just that I’ve read doctors sometimes mistake it for other conditions, and some people have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed. The appearance of this cold/flu freaks me out. I'm trying to chill out until week 16. I'd just like someone to let me know what they think of the whole case, and this onset of a flu/cold.
so two professionals have told you that it is 100% not herpes.
why don't you believe them?
why don't you believe them?
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.
