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Possibly Herpes?
Hello,
I am a 23 yr old male who had protected sex with a female about 1 month ago. Did not notice any visible sores on her or anything like that. About 2 days after intercourse, I felt a tingling sensation on the right side of my groin. From the research I have done, I know that this tingling is usually the sign of a herpes outbreak, so I prepared myself for the worst. Tingling lasted for about 4-5 days, but never any blisters. Felt normal for about a week after. Then, about a week ago, I began experiencing a slight burning in my left foot. Then I had aches and pains in my left leg, left arm, and both underarms. These pains were very odd, as I had never really experienced them before. Had minor lower back pain as well for about a day. They were not anything significant, as I could still function during the day, but when I would just be relaxing they were readily noticeable. I also had minor headaches during this time. Lasted about 4 to 5 days and then subsided. I know that these symptoms typically accompany the initial herpes outbreak, but I have still yet to have any blisters, or at least anything that resembles a typical herpes blister. Once I started having these pains, I became extremely stressed, essentially convincing myself that I had herpes. I know that the mind has a funny way of playing tricks on you, but it just seems too coincidental that I would start having all these symptoms after having sex with someone and it not be something std related. Is it possible to have all these seemingly herpes related symptoms without actually having an outbreak? I am hoping that I am worrying myself for nothing, but any information you can provide would be extremely appreciated.
I am a 23 yr old male who had protected sex with a female about 1 month ago. Did not notice any visible sores on her or anything like that. About 2 days after intercourse, I felt a tingling sensation on the right side of my groin. From the research I have done, I know that this tingling is usually the sign of a herpes outbreak, so I prepared myself for the worst. Tingling lasted for about 4-5 days, but never any blisters. Felt normal for about a week after. Then, about a week ago, I began experiencing a slight burning in my left foot. Then I had aches and pains in my left leg, left arm, and both underarms. These pains were very odd, as I had never really experienced them before. Had minor lower back pain as well for about a day. They were not anything significant, as I could still function during the day, but when I would just be relaxing they were readily noticeable. I also had minor headaches during this time. Lasted about 4 to 5 days and then subsided. I know that these symptoms typically accompany the initial herpes outbreak, but I have still yet to have any blisters, or at least anything that resembles a typical herpes blister. Once I started having these pains, I became extremely stressed, essentially convincing myself that I had herpes. I know that the mind has a funny way of playing tricks on you, but it just seems too coincidental that I would start having all these symptoms after having sex with someone and it not be something std related. Is it possible to have all these seemingly herpes related symptoms without actually having an outbreak? I am hoping that I am worrying myself for nothing, but any information you can provide would be extremely appreciated.
nothing you've mentioned sounds like it's herpes going on. if you need the peace of mind get tested again - it's totally up to you.
grace
grace
So just got my results back today. Negative. While I did not receive a specific number, the result read '<0.91'. I did have this test done about 6 weeks after the encounter, and I know that this can sometimes be too soon for the antibodies to be detected (I had a Type-2 specific IgG test done). How confident can I be that these results are correct after 6 weeks? In the absence of any lesions, do you think it will be necessary to go get retested in another 6 weeks?
Seems like at this point you need to work with a provider. This does't sound anything like HSV. You have something that needs their attention. The burning in the hands and so forth at multiple sites doesn't sound like HSV.
Condom protected is a low risk. So at this point it is just you need to wait on the HSV testing for 12 weeks and make sure you get a type specific IgG blood test.
Condom protected is a low risk. So at this point it is just you need to wait on the HSV testing for 12 weeks and make sure you get a type specific IgG blood test.
Sorry it's been a couple of weeks. I read that you are supposed to continue a thread once you have posted, so I will just continue on this one and post a new question if it gets missed. So I have made an appointment to just go have some tests done. Will probably have some info by the end of the week. I know you said it didn't sound like herpes, but some new things have come up that I just wanted to get your opinion on.
Felt normal for about a week after my initial post, and them some very odd things started to happen. I noticed that my hands and feet were tingling quite a bit. The tingling turned into burning at night. I also had some noticeable lower back pain. Nothing from stopping me physically, but it definitely did not feel normal. The burning in my hands and feet definitely disturbed my sleeping, and some nights it even progressed through my legs and arms. Felt like my hands were on a stove or something, and I think that perhaps this pain just spread to other parts of my body. This lasted for about a week or so. It seems to be lessening now, but it was odd that is was happening at all. Did some research and came across fibromyalgia. This seemed to be what was going on, as many of my symptoms were similar.
In addition to this odd pain, I also had a pain in my neck. Was experiencing a dull headache throughout the day as well. Mostly in my forehead and towards the back of my head. Felt like a sinus infection, except that my nose was not at all blocked. My jaw muscles have also been hurting, and I notice a clicking sound when I eat. Found out that people with fibromyalgia also occassionally get TMJ. While the hand and foot pain seems to be dying down, the jaw pain and headaches are still persisting.
Out of all the things that couse fibromyalgia, herpes seems to be the only one that I would be at risk of having. I know it is a shot in the dark, but it just seems odd that these things are occurring, especially considering I have never had any of them before. If I could just get your input on all of this that would be truly, truly appreciated. As I said, I am goint to get tested this week, but was just curious on your thoughts before then.
I also just want to remention that my exposure was protected and lasted all of about 10 minutes. I know this is extremely low risk, but I have never had the best of luck, and these things I have been feeling are completely new, as I have never had any aches and pains like this.
Thank you so much and I am so sorry for the length of this post.
Felt normal for about a week after my initial post, and them some very odd things started to happen. I noticed that my hands and feet were tingling quite a bit. The tingling turned into burning at night. I also had some noticeable lower back pain. Nothing from stopping me physically, but it definitely did not feel normal. The burning in my hands and feet definitely disturbed my sleeping, and some nights it even progressed through my legs and arms. Felt like my hands were on a stove or something, and I think that perhaps this pain just spread to other parts of my body. This lasted for about a week or so. It seems to be lessening now, but it was odd that is was happening at all. Did some research and came across fibromyalgia. This seemed to be what was going on, as many of my symptoms were similar.
In addition to this odd pain, I also had a pain in my neck. Was experiencing a dull headache throughout the day as well. Mostly in my forehead and towards the back of my head. Felt like a sinus infection, except that my nose was not at all blocked. My jaw muscles have also been hurting, and I notice a clicking sound when I eat. Found out that people with fibromyalgia also occassionally get TMJ. While the hand and foot pain seems to be dying down, the jaw pain and headaches are still persisting.
Out of all the things that couse fibromyalgia, herpes seems to be the only one that I would be at risk of having. I know it is a shot in the dark, but it just seems odd that these things are occurring, especially considering I have never had any of them before. If I could just get your input on all of this that would be truly, truly appreciated. As I said, I am goint to get tested this week, but was just curious on your thoughts before then.
I also just want to remention that my exposure was protected and lasted all of about 10 minutes. I know this is extremely low risk, but I have never had the best of luck, and these things I have been feeling are completely new, as I have never had any aches and pains like this.
Thank you so much and I am so sorry for the length of this post.
If you have the incorrect test for herpes (an IgM blood test), it will pick up other viruses as well such as chicken pox and epstein-barr (mono). Hence why we tell people to avoid and disregard such a test for herpes.
The proper test is an IgG type specific blood test.
Either way, as Grace stated this doesn't sound like herpes. Seeking info on the net ultimately tells you nothing.See your medical provider.
The proper test is an IgG type specific blood test.
Either way, as Grace stated this doesn't sound like herpes. Seeking info on the net ultimately tells you nothing.See your medical provider.
Not yet. I know I should but was just looking for some info first. I should mention that these symptoms presented themselves about 2 days after I finished a very long trip. About 20 hours flying with some connections. Perhaps between the stress and everything else this is what was going on?
Also, I just had a general question about getting tested. I have had the chicken pox, and I was once told that if I did get a blood test for herpes, it would come back positive because of the chicken pox. Is that really true? I find it hard to believe. I know that false positives are quite common when getting tested, so I am somewhat afraid to get tested and have a false positive. Definitely do not need the unnecessary stress.
Also, I just had a general question about getting tested. I have had the chicken pox, and I was once told that if I did get a blood test for herpes, it would come back positive because of the chicken pox. Is that really true? I find it hard to believe. I know that false positives are quite common when getting tested, so I am somewhat afraid to get tested and have a false positive. Definitely do not need the unnecessary stress.
this really doesn't sound like it's herpes going on. have you seen your doctor yet about this?
grace
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.
