Aa
Tingling/Burning sensation on buttocks, groin, and behind (inner) thighs.
Hello Doctor,
I've read through multiple posts on here and would like some reassurance and expertise on my specific problem. I went to a Strip Club on Christmas Evening and had 'protected' sex with a stripper. During intercourse my penis was becoming flaccid and we stopped, upon which she began to masturbate me (with the condom on) in an attempt to make me hard. She also rubbed my scrotum 'after' masturbating my penis. It didn't occur to me till later that possible vaginal fluid could have been on the condom when she masturbated me and then rubbed my exposed testicles.
Would this be a risk of acquiring Herpes? Also, I was sitting naked at one point on a leather type of sofa and am wondering if anything is transmitted that way since my bare butt and inner parts we exposed and now they're itching and burning.
FYI, I've experienced this tingling/burning on my groin area before about a year ago or less and have got tested and everything came back NEGATIVE except for HSV-1, which was a blood test. When I experience these initial symptoms I went to the doctor about 3 different times within a couple of weeks (when i was experiencing symptoms) and they all said that it did not look like herpes since I had NO lesions, sores, or cuts. They all said it was jock itch or 'Ballanitis" and gave me some ointment.
So it's been 1 week since my last sexual encounter and it was PROTECTED but want to know if:
1.) could I have contracted HSV-2 via her rubbing my testicles after she masturbated me with a condom on AFTER I was already inside her beforehand? I'm wondering if the rubbing could have transmitted it.
2.) Does my testicles slapping up against her vaginal area make it a risk for catching Herpes?
3.) What about my burning pain on my buttocks/inner thighs? Could I have caught anything from the sofa?? Keep in mind other strippers use the same sofa every day and who knows who else has has sex in there.
Again, I don't have any visual sores, just tingling/light burning sensation. My penis head just looks wrinkled and sort of shiny. When sitting down for prolonged periods of time, I experience more discomfort and itching. I took a picture of the area below my scrotum between my thighs and i could see some "white" particles on my pubic hairs and skin but i think it may be skin flakes from scratching rubbing. Could this be something else?
Please advise. Thank You.
I've read through multiple posts on here and would like some reassurance and expertise on my specific problem. I went to a Strip Club on Christmas Evening and had 'protected' sex with a stripper. During intercourse my penis was becoming flaccid and we stopped, upon which she began to masturbate me (with the condom on) in an attempt to make me hard. She also rubbed my scrotum 'after' masturbating my penis. It didn't occur to me till later that possible vaginal fluid could have been on the condom when she masturbated me and then rubbed my exposed testicles.
Would this be a risk of acquiring Herpes? Also, I was sitting naked at one point on a leather type of sofa and am wondering if anything is transmitted that way since my bare butt and inner parts we exposed and now they're itching and burning.
FYI, I've experienced this tingling/burning on my groin area before about a year ago or less and have got tested and everything came back NEGATIVE except for HSV-1, which was a blood test. When I experience these initial symptoms I went to the doctor about 3 different times within a couple of weeks (when i was experiencing symptoms) and they all said that it did not look like herpes since I had NO lesions, sores, or cuts. They all said it was jock itch or 'Ballanitis" and gave me some ointment.
So it's been 1 week since my last sexual encounter and it was PROTECTED but want to know if:
1.) could I have contracted HSV-2 via her rubbing my testicles after she masturbated me with a condom on AFTER I was already inside her beforehand? I'm wondering if the rubbing could have transmitted it.
2.) Does my testicles slapping up against her vaginal area make it a risk for catching Herpes?
3.) What about my burning pain on my buttocks/inner thighs? Could I have caught anything from the sofa?? Keep in mind other strippers use the same sofa every day and who knows who else has has sex in there.
Again, I don't have any visual sores, just tingling/light burning sensation. My penis head just looks wrinkled and sort of shiny. When sitting down for prolonged periods of time, I experience more discomfort and itching. I took a picture of the area below my scrotum between my thighs and i could see some "white" particles on my pubic hairs and skin but i think it may be skin flakes from scratching rubbing. Could this be something else?
Please advise. Thank You.
We wish you well and encourage you to work with your own doctor. We are now closing this discussion.
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COMMUNITY LEADER
Okay, let's back up here. You are spiraling, and we need to go back to the start. Take a deep breath.
You had protected sex and got some hand rubbing. Try and remember that the risk for this is very, very small. Dr. Handsfield, one of the world's leading experts in STDs, puts it at 1 in 10,000. That's a 0.010% chance that you'd get herpes from this encounter.
https://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/HSV2-Exposure/show/1675277
I've already given you links as to why the rubbing is not a risk. Go back and read them.
Herpes does NOT ever cause some of the symptoms you are describing. You are not listening to me. Shiny skin - never. Hands and arms - never.
Hear me here - really hear me. You need counseling. Your reaction to a 0.010% risk is WAY overblown. The odds of being struck by lightning in your lifetime if you are in the US are 1 in 3,000.
You have a higher chance of getting struck by lighting than having herpes from this event. Do you hear me?
Your symptoms are real. They could be from anxiety, which gives REAL symptoms. You could be hyperaware of your body now, and looking for things that were always there.
Your focus now has to be your mental health. Remember 0.010%.
You had protected sex and got some hand rubbing. Try and remember that the risk for this is very, very small. Dr. Handsfield, one of the world's leading experts in STDs, puts it at 1 in 10,000. That's a 0.010% chance that you'd get herpes from this encounter.
https://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/HSV2-Exposure/show/1675277
I've already given you links as to why the rubbing is not a risk. Go back and read them.
Herpes does NOT ever cause some of the symptoms you are describing. You are not listening to me. Shiny skin - never. Hands and arms - never.
Hear me here - really hear me. You need counseling. Your reaction to a 0.010% risk is WAY overblown. The odds of being struck by lightning in your lifetime if you are in the US are 1 in 3,000.
You have a higher chance of getting struck by lighting than having herpes from this event. Do you hear me?
Your symptoms are real. They could be from anxiety, which gives REAL symptoms. You could be hyperaware of your body now, and looking for things that were always there.
Your focus now has to be your mental health. Remember 0.010%.
13 Comments
Hi auntiejessi, I took another test last week (which is 14 weeks post incident) and HSV2 came out Negative. The doctor told me he recommends I test again at 6 months which worried me but he said just to be safe. My symptoms persist however, and every time I take the supplement it helps. My symptoms feel exactly how people describe herpes outbreaks and this happened after my last sexual exposure and that is why I can't let it go. If I didn't have any symptoms, then I would have forgotten this a while back but I do and the pain/irritation is present.
What you haven't answered me yet is, how intense is a HSV-1 genital outbreak?? I already have HSV-1 and based on my symptoms and what I've described to you, it seems that I very likely do have HSV-1 in the genitals. I only suspected HSV-2 because this occurred after my last sexual encounter.
However, I don't understand why outbreaks of HSV-1 would get this intense after my last encounter if I already had HSV-1 and apparently, based on what you say and blood tests, I don't have HSV-2. I'm an Engineer by profession I'm a very logical person and although I want to believe what you say, I'm not convince all these symptoms are too coincidental and they match what people with Herpes feel.
You guys dismiss our claims because there are no obvious symptoms/lesions but you don't touch upon the fact that many people don't get the typical lesions and just get a rash or something else that often gets mistaken for something else. Although it is possible that it can indeed be something else, in my opinion based on what I've read and researched here, it is much less probable that this isn't herpes. If it's herpes, it has to be HSV-1 genitally.
I have another Dermatologist appointment in less than 2 weeks with the main doctor and will do my best to sort this out. I went again last time and the P.A. tried to tell me that it's probably Soap or Allergies, which infuriated me especially when she refused to take swabs of my irritated areas and/or a sample for further review. I don't know what else I have to do to solve this. My depression has increased drastically and I don't feel like doing anything but sleeping and have constant thoughts about not wanting to live anymore. If I do have this, who's going to want to be with me? I'm looking at a lifetime of loneliness. And I feel unclean thinking I can accidentally give this to the people I care about like family, like saying hello to my grandma, mom, or any other person with a kiss on the cheek. Whatever i have has spread and I can't think what else this is.
What I need is to have a very THOROUGH examination but I can't get that done with these doctors. Is there somewhere I can go to get VIP treatment and get this sorted out? At this point I'm willing to pay whatever to figure this out. I find it ridiculous that such a common and prevalent disease is still not very well understood despite the amount of $$ money that has been spent on research. Even in one post, Dr. HHH has to go check with a lab worker for a specific question (that made him unsure) and he said that they didn't have data on that. Wth man? So many years have gone by and the facts aren't updated.
I remember Terri mentioned this in a question I asked: "The IgG test for HSV 2 is pretty good - it misses 8% of infections and HSV 1 misses 30% of infections in a population screening for herpes. The western blot can be arranged if you are not comfortable with these statistics.
8% is still high. I will be doing the Western Blot. I really appreciate your help, I really do, but sometimes I think that because you and others are trying to answer many questions, you guys don't get to really analyze the specific scenario and just select the answers from similar situations, which leaves some uncertainty. This is not intended to be disrespectful, just a thought.
Please let me know if you of doctors that can help me figure this out. Thanks.
What you haven't answered me yet is, how intense is a HSV-1 genital outbreak?? I already have HSV-1 and based on my symptoms and what I've described to you, it seems that I very likely do have HSV-1 in the genitals. I only suspected HSV-2 because this occurred after my last sexual encounter.
However, I don't understand why outbreaks of HSV-1 would get this intense after my last encounter if I already had HSV-1 and apparently, based on what you say and blood tests, I don't have HSV-2. I'm an Engineer by profession I'm a very logical person and although I want to believe what you say, I'm not convince all these symptoms are too coincidental and they match what people with Herpes feel.
You guys dismiss our claims because there are no obvious symptoms/lesions but you don't touch upon the fact that many people don't get the typical lesions and just get a rash or something else that often gets mistaken for something else. Although it is possible that it can indeed be something else, in my opinion based on what I've read and researched here, it is much less probable that this isn't herpes. If it's herpes, it has to be HSV-1 genitally.
I have another Dermatologist appointment in less than 2 weeks with the main doctor and will do my best to sort this out. I went again last time and the P.A. tried to tell me that it's probably Soap or Allergies, which infuriated me especially when she refused to take swabs of my irritated areas and/or a sample for further review. I don't know what else I have to do to solve this. My depression has increased drastically and I don't feel like doing anything but sleeping and have constant thoughts about not wanting to live anymore. If I do have this, who's going to want to be with me? I'm looking at a lifetime of loneliness. And I feel unclean thinking I can accidentally give this to the people I care about like family, like saying hello to my grandma, mom, or any other person with a kiss on the cheek. Whatever i have has spread and I can't think what else this is.
What I need is to have a very THOROUGH examination but I can't get that done with these doctors. Is there somewhere I can go to get VIP treatment and get this sorted out? At this point I'm willing to pay whatever to figure this out. I find it ridiculous that such a common and prevalent disease is still not very well understood despite the amount of $$ money that has been spent on research. Even in one post, Dr. HHH has to go check with a lab worker for a specific question (that made him unsure) and he said that they didn't have data on that. Wth man? So many years have gone by and the facts aren't updated.
I remember Terri mentioned this in a question I asked: "The IgG test for HSV 2 is pretty good - it misses 8% of infections and HSV 1 misses 30% of infections in a population screening for herpes. The western blot can be arranged if you are not comfortable with these statistics.
8% is still high. I will be doing the Western Blot. I really appreciate your help, I really do, but sometimes I think that because you and others are trying to answer many questions, you guys don't get to really analyze the specific scenario and just select the answers from similar situations, which leaves some uncertainty. This is not intended to be disrespectful, just a thought.
Please let me know if you of doctors that can help me figure this out. Thanks.
Listen, we are not doctors here. We are people with knowledge of herpes because we either have it, have taken the time to learn about it, or both.
Did you tell Terri Warren your encounter that you think led to all this?
Herpes research has come a long way. Not that long ago we thought that it was only transmitted by direct contact with an outbreak. Because it doesn't kill anyone, less research will go into in than say, HIV or cancer. As someone who has herpes, I'm okay with that.
Did you tell Terri Warren your encounter that you think led to all this?
Herpes research has come a long way. Not that long ago we thought that it was only transmitted by direct contact with an outbreak. Because it doesn't kill anyone, less research will go into in than say, HIV or cancer. As someone who has herpes, I'm okay with that.
Oh and HSV1 is usually much milder and recurs far less than hsv2 if you have it genitally. The chances that you got genital hsv1 from this encounter after having an existing hsv1 infection is nil.
Hi, yes I did. She answered my question.
1st she replied : "No, I don't believe that you could have contracted HSV 2 at this encounter. Your scrotum bumping up against her perineum would not present any realistic risk of infection nor could you have caught something from the sofa - bacteria and viruses die off of the human body very very quickly. I am also not concerned about her touching your testicles after touching vaginal secretions. It takes considerably more contact for a person to contract herpes than the contact that you describe above. I think you are good to go"
Followed by: "A fungal infection is a far more likely cause of your itching. Herpes lesions do not disappear in one day
While you could have HSV 1 genitally, nothing you have described here sounds like genital HSV 1 either
I don't know why you are having itching and irritation but I don't think jumping to the conclusion that it is herpes makes good sense.
You may wish to consider getting a herpes western blot, the definitive herpes antibody test, to settle this once and for all."
Terri
I'm not saying I could have caught HSV-1 genital from this encounter, but since I already had HSV-1, and had also experienced what I thought was a genital outbreak (or maybe it wasn't), I'm surprised that what I've been experiencing since my encounter is genital HSV-1 (most likely). Whatever is happening to me started after that encounter and that's for sure. Maybe she had HSV1 or HSV2 and that triggered and outbreak of my genital HSV-1?? But I kept insisting on HSV-2 since the pain I had was significant and it matched what others have described. Also, a recurring outbreak can occur anywhere in the boxer short area.
So, at the least, I think I'm experiencing an HSV-1 genital outbreak. But it's been going on since Late December/Early January. It had stopped a month or two ago and then started again when I scratched and rubbed my eyes after forgetting to wash m6 moy hands after touching tiny sores/irritation on my penis head.
I truly feel that if I were to meet a girl right now and have unprotected sex with her, she would get something and complain about it to me later. I truly feel that I have something.
If you can enlighten me on something else, since more than 50% of the population and almost 80% as we get older has HSV-1 (orally), how is it that more people DO NOT have Genital HSV-1 since it sheds orally frequently and people are constantly having sex (ORAL SEX)? People having sex on the 1st date or soon after a 1st date or having one night stands seems to be the norm now but regardless, if most people have oral HSV-1, how come more people don't have genital HSV-1 since people shed it frequently from their mouths and oral sex is obviously a frequent act.
Also, my Doctor advised to take another HSV2 IgG test in another 6 months. Is there ANY way that I can seroconvert later?? I do plan on taking the Western Blot in about 2 months (to make it exactly 6 months post exposure) just for piece of mind.
The Western Blot differentiates between HSV1 and HSV2 right?
I swear that if I end up not having any herpes genitally I will send you flowers and chocolates... LOL.
1st she replied : "No, I don't believe that you could have contracted HSV 2 at this encounter. Your scrotum bumping up against her perineum would not present any realistic risk of infection nor could you have caught something from the sofa - bacteria and viruses die off of the human body very very quickly. I am also not concerned about her touching your testicles after touching vaginal secretions. It takes considerably more contact for a person to contract herpes than the contact that you describe above. I think you are good to go"
Followed by: "A fungal infection is a far more likely cause of your itching. Herpes lesions do not disappear in one day
While you could have HSV 1 genitally, nothing you have described here sounds like genital HSV 1 either
I don't know why you are having itching and irritation but I don't think jumping to the conclusion that it is herpes makes good sense.
You may wish to consider getting a herpes western blot, the definitive herpes antibody test, to settle this once and for all."
Terri
I'm not saying I could have caught HSV-1 genital from this encounter, but since I already had HSV-1, and had also experienced what I thought was a genital outbreak (or maybe it wasn't), I'm surprised that what I've been experiencing since my encounter is genital HSV-1 (most likely). Whatever is happening to me started after that encounter and that's for sure. Maybe she had HSV1 or HSV2 and that triggered and outbreak of my genital HSV-1?? But I kept insisting on HSV-2 since the pain I had was significant and it matched what others have described. Also, a recurring outbreak can occur anywhere in the boxer short area.
So, at the least, I think I'm experiencing an HSV-1 genital outbreak. But it's been going on since Late December/Early January. It had stopped a month or two ago and then started again when I scratched and rubbed my eyes after forgetting to wash m6 moy hands after touching tiny sores/irritation on my penis head.
I truly feel that if I were to meet a girl right now and have unprotected sex with her, she would get something and complain about it to me later. I truly feel that I have something.
If you can enlighten me on something else, since more than 50% of the population and almost 80% as we get older has HSV-1 (orally), how is it that more people DO NOT have Genital HSV-1 since it sheds orally frequently and people are constantly having sex (ORAL SEX)? People having sex on the 1st date or soon after a 1st date or having one night stands seems to be the norm now but regardless, if most people have oral HSV-1, how come more people don't have genital HSV-1 since people shed it frequently from their mouths and oral sex is obviously a frequent act.
Also, my Doctor advised to take another HSV2 IgG test in another 6 months. Is there ANY way that I can seroconvert later?? I do plan on taking the Western Blot in about 2 months (to make it exactly 6 months post exposure) just for piece of mind.
The Western Blot differentiates between HSV1 and HSV2 right?
I swear that if I end up not having any herpes genitally I will send you flowers and chocolates... LOL.
Also, this is embarrassing, but last week I was taking a shower and masturbated in there. I poured some shampoo on the floor just to clean up any mess and with my foot I went back and forth, scrubbing the tub floor to clean it up. Afterwards my foot started burning and has been since then, on and off. I feel the burning and it radiates and it bothers me. I know you and the forum says that fluids are not likely to infect Herpes but it's still possible right? Even the doctor I saw at Planned Parenthood told me that fluids were a way of transmitting the virus and she seemed concerned when I told her.
I'm not making this up. I really am feeling burning and irritation.
I'm not making this up. I really am feeling burning and irritation.
More people don't have ghsv1 because so many people have antibodies that protect them from getting it in another location.
Also, it doesn't shed nearly as much as you make it sound. These are shedding rates:
HSV 2 genital 15-30% of days evaluated
HSV 1 genital 3-5% of days evaluated
HSV 1 oral 25% of days evaluated
HSV 2 oral 1% of days evaluated
Also, shedding doesn't equal transmission. You have to have enough of the virus to be able to transmit it, and we don't really know how much that is, and it could be different in each circumstance, or each person.
That said, get the Western Blot, or get PCR swabs from Terri, or something. Also, get some counseling. Terri Warren, who I would trust with my entire sexual health, has told you that she thinks you don't have hsv2, that she doesn't think you could get it from this encounter, and that nothing you describe sounds like ghsv1, and you don't believe her.
Terri Warren has been involved in several MAJOR studies on herpes. She literally wrote the book on it. The herpes handbook I always link was written by her. Here are some of her studies - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Terri_Warren
I'm sure the doctor at Planned Parenthood is all kinds of awesome, but she is no Terri Warren.
Also, it doesn't shed nearly as much as you make it sound. These are shedding rates:
HSV 2 genital 15-30% of days evaluated
HSV 1 genital 3-5% of days evaluated
HSV 1 oral 25% of days evaluated
HSV 2 oral 1% of days evaluated
Also, shedding doesn't equal transmission. You have to have enough of the virus to be able to transmit it, and we don't really know how much that is, and it could be different in each circumstance, or each person.
That said, get the Western Blot, or get PCR swabs from Terri, or something. Also, get some counseling. Terri Warren, who I would trust with my entire sexual health, has told you that she thinks you don't have hsv2, that she doesn't think you could get it from this encounter, and that nothing you describe sounds like ghsv1, and you don't believe her.
Terri Warren has been involved in several MAJOR studies on herpes. She literally wrote the book on it. The herpes handbook I always link was written by her. Here are some of her studies - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Terri_Warren
I'm sure the doctor at Planned Parenthood is all kinds of awesome, but she is no Terri Warren.
Does the percentage represent the percent PER DAY of EVERY DAY? What does "days evaluated" represent? meaning the length of time.
Days evaluated means days evaluated over the course of a year. You haven't read the herpes handbook yet, have you?
Hi auntiejessi, it's been a while. Guess what? I took the Western Blot Test last month on May 8th and it came out NEGATIVE for HSV2 and Positive for HSV1 (which I already knew). Additionally, I took ANOTHER HSV2 IGG test afterwards and it came out NEGATIVE again.
Yes, I know what you're going to say, but I keep FEELING these symptoms! I'm in constant pain and it subsides but comes back! I really think it may be Genital HSV1. But how could I have a Primary Outbreak long after I already knew I had it?? Or did I catch another Sub-Strain of HSV1?? Is that possible? Because all this occurred after that incident.
I don't know what to do. How do I move on? Do I have to tell a potential female gf what I'm experiencing? Even if HSV1 is really common?? This is embarassing, but last month I was showering and masturbated and finished on the bathtub floor. I then proceeded to pour shampoo/soap on the floor to scrub with my foot to clean up any mess and after scrubbing my foot over it, my foot started tingling and burning now. It comes and goes but it's happening. I know what you're going to say but I know what I'm feeling. How could this be happening? this doesn't make sense.
I will be taking my Antivirals soon after another cream for at least a week. If my symptoms subside after taking the Antivirals, would you agree that what I was experiencing is indeed HSV1 genital??
Yes, I know what you're going to say, but I keep FEELING these symptoms! I'm in constant pain and it subsides but comes back! I really think it may be Genital HSV1. But how could I have a Primary Outbreak long after I already knew I had it?? Or did I catch another Sub-Strain of HSV1?? Is that possible? Because all this occurred after that incident.
I don't know what to do. How do I move on? Do I have to tell a potential female gf what I'm experiencing? Even if HSV1 is really common?? This is embarassing, but last month I was showering and masturbated and finished on the bathtub floor. I then proceeded to pour shampoo/soap on the floor to scrub with my foot to clean up any mess and after scrubbing my foot over it, my foot started tingling and burning now. It comes and goes but it's happening. I know what you're going to say but I know what I'm feeling. How could this be happening? this doesn't make sense.
I will be taking my Antivirals soon after another cream for at least a week. If my symptoms subside after taking the Antivirals, would you agree that what I was experiencing is indeed HSV1 genital??
Dude.
You are doing yourself a HUGE disservice if you keep focusing on herpes as the cause of your symptoms.
YOU DON'T HAVE IT.
I counted at least 6 tests (my count may be wrong), and all 6 say you don't have hsv2. You can't get hsv1 in another location after you already have antibodies, which you already have.
You don't get herpes on your foot, and semen doesn't transmit it. Herpes is a skin infection, not a fluid one.
In your very fist post, you said this: "FYI, I've experienced this tingling/burning on my groin area before about a year ago or less". So this is NOT new for you. You've experienced this before, long before this encounter.
You do not have genital herpes. You just don't.
You do have something. It just isn't herpes.
I've offered several alternatives to you for months now. Your doctors have. Terri Warren did. If you choose to believe it's herpes, we can't help you. You are not believing science.
Perhaps you have a pinched or entrapped nerve, a fungal infection, an anal fissure, or who knows what, but as long as you continue to focus on herpes as the cause, which - don't forget - you had minimal risk for in the first place and tests have proven you don't have - you will never know.
You are doing yourself a HUGE disservice if you keep focusing on herpes as the cause of your symptoms.
YOU DON'T HAVE IT.
I counted at least 6 tests (my count may be wrong), and all 6 say you don't have hsv2. You can't get hsv1 in another location after you already have antibodies, which you already have.
You don't get herpes on your foot, and semen doesn't transmit it. Herpes is a skin infection, not a fluid one.
In your very fist post, you said this: "FYI, I've experienced this tingling/burning on my groin area before about a year ago or less". So this is NOT new for you. You've experienced this before, long before this encounter.
You do not have genital herpes. You just don't.
You do have something. It just isn't herpes.
I've offered several alternatives to you for months now. Your doctors have. Terri Warren did. If you choose to believe it's herpes, we can't help you. You are not believing science.
Perhaps you have a pinched or entrapped nerve, a fungal infection, an anal fissure, or who knows what, but as long as you continue to focus on herpes as the cause, which - don't forget - you had minimal risk for in the first place and tests have proven you don't have - you will never know.
I followed your story and I hope neither of you mind if I intervene here. Aj is a tremendous help and has alot of knowledge when it comes to this. I was in a similar situation only difference is I found out the girl I was with of several occasions has hsv2, you're not sure if the stripper has it or not. Like you I had all the symptoms a swore up and down it's had. Like you I have hsv1 and and was scared it slowed seroconversion. I'm almost 8 months in and like you I've tested numerous of times. It's always picked up my type 1 infection and always negative of type 2. I did the wb as well at 5 n half months. Again negative. You got to believe these tests as they are used in forensics and alot more hospitals rely on findings when it comes to diseases. The western blot looks for the whole immune response to this virus and you had a neg result. It would of been intermediate if anything was suspicious. They've done numerous of testing to cone up with the timeframes as well as the 12 to 16 wks. Many people will show at that time and if you're immunocompromized it may take longer. If I recall a jessi has type 1 and showed antibodies to type 2 in a matter of few weeks. Sorry if I mistaken u for someone else. Anyway the minute I stopped thinking about it I felt fine. I myself am gonna do 1 more wb at 8 months just for my own peice of mind because I may get engaged. Even tho i don't have to.
Thank you for your nice words. :)
I have hsv2, but not hsv1. I did develop antibodies quickly - within a few weeks. I had a partner with herpes, and knew it was a risk, knew what it was as soon as I got it. I had a positive culture, and a positive IgG test a few weeks later, after a negative one a week before. (The only reason I did the blood test was to type it, as my partner had both hsv1 and 2, and the doctor didn't order a type specific culture.)
I remain negative for hsv1.
You're absolutely correct that testing would have found something by now, and that the WB would have found it if he had it.
I appreciate your input, Tontonic, and hope elsacapz1 does, too. I'm also glad you're feeling better now. :) Congrats on the possible engagement!
I have hsv2, but not hsv1. I did develop antibodies quickly - within a few weeks. I had a partner with herpes, and knew it was a risk, knew what it was as soon as I got it. I had a positive culture, and a positive IgG test a few weeks later, after a negative one a week before. (The only reason I did the blood test was to type it, as my partner had both hsv1 and 2, and the doctor didn't order a type specific culture.)
I remain negative for hsv1.
You're absolutely correct that testing would have found something by now, and that the WB would have found it if he had it.
I appreciate your input, Tontonic, and hope elsacapz1 does, too. I'm also glad you're feeling better now. :) Congrats on the possible engagement!
Thank You both for your input. I've stopped thinking about it but my symptoms persist.
Tontonic, you say you will take another WB at 8 months for piece of mind. So what have you told your current partner about your situation? Have you disclosed that you thought you had HSV2 because of a previous partner who had it?
Tontonic, you say you will take another WB at 8 months for piece of mind. So what have you told your current partner about your situation? Have you disclosed that you thought you had HSV2 because of a previous partner who had it?
COMMUNITY LEADER
When did I say that about body fluids? I don't think I did. If you are referring to mucous membrane contact, that means that herpes is spread via skin to skin contact because virus is present on the skin. It's not spread by fluids like HIV is, for example.
I have never read anything that says you will need to wait longer than the 4 months for testing even with HSV1.
I'm in my late 40s, and have had hsv2 for well over 10 years.
All that said, you know I don't think you have herpes, and I think you really, really need to focus on your mental health. That's way more important than herpes. You might also talk to your doctor about a pinched nerve, a herniated disc, or something along those lines, but please talk to him about your mental health. You had a protected sexual encounter. Chances of you getting herpes are so low that your reaction to this is way out of proportion.
I have never read anything that says you will need to wait longer than the 4 months for testing even with HSV1.
I'm in my late 40s, and have had hsv2 for well over 10 years.
All that said, you know I don't think you have herpes, and I think you really, really need to focus on your mental health. That's way more important than herpes. You might also talk to your doctor about a pinched nerve, a herniated disc, or something along those lines, but please talk to him about your mental health. You had a protected sexual encounter. Chances of you getting herpes are so low that your reaction to this is way out of proportion.
11 Comments
Your 1st reply to my post you said that a condom does not cover the entire mucous membrane, but in a man, the mucous membrane is the urethra opening and therefor is covered. That's why I was confused. Other credible sites state that you can get it via bodily fluids as well but obviously not like skin to skin but it's still a risk. All this mess started after this encounter which is why it's so worrying. Like it's been stated many times on here, many people don't know they have Herpes because their symptoms are so MILD so not everyone will show the typical, classic symptoms like vesicles and crusting. The water blister I saw on my penis head a while back, that just has to be Herpes. It doesn't make sense for anything else. I know you said it can't be gone that fast but again, from what I've read, blisters on the penis head where the skin retracts would not typically crust over because it's constantly moist and I'm not circumcized. I get that there are other things but when I showed the Doctor the picture he said it did look Herpetic but since it was already gone in a day that it's odd. So, I'm assuming that if I do have Genital Herpes, it's due to HSV1.
With respect to the encounter with the Stripper on Christmas, I'm freaked out that this could be HSV2 because the symptoms and pain have been great and I've never felt anything like this before; plus it seems to match with what other have experienced during an outbreak. And if I don't have HSV2, because you said I could not have caught it based on what I told you, could HSV1 cause and outbreak like this?? I'm perplexed since it is said genital HSV1 tends to be less sever and less recurrent.
My face is itching, tingling and hurting constantly ever since I accidentally rubbed my eyes after touching my penis head while inspecting what looked like tiny sores/irritation. Like I told you, I took a picture of the small red bumps that appeared in the area between my eye and my nose and the doctor said they did look like small herpetic, vesicles but you said that Herpes is NOT red bumps??? I'm not making this up. The skin area around my eyes feels raw, slimy and super dry and hurts! They said that it's not fungal so Idk what to do. I have Acyclovir but I don't want to take it until I wait long enough to rule out HSV2 via blood testing.
I'm sure I have to work on my mental health but that doesn't mean that what I am saying is not valid. It seems to me that the Doctor's knowledge about Herpes needs to be updated or something. I don't get why there are SO MANY people on here with similar symptoms and yet the doctors dismiss them. I understand that there are hypochondriacs but these symptoms ALWAYS begin after people had a sexual encounter. And since we all have different immune systems, isn't it likely that Herpes will not react the same way in some people?
What you say about how I could not have gotten HSV2 via bodily fluids, that makes me feel better but I need to know if HSV1 can cause the same symptoms as HSV2 and if a primary outbreak can occur later on. I also read that you cannot "ping pong" back and forth Herpes if you already have one type but I've read in other reputable sites that you actually CAN! If you're immune system is weak you can spread it to different parts of your body. I really feel I have spread it to my face.
When I have gone to try to get lesion/s swabbed, they always tell me they can't because there's no obvious lesions...but can't they still swab the area since it could be present in the skin??
I am awaiting my Blood Results and should receive them shortly. I took the test 1 week ago. The blood test was performed 10 weeks post last exposure.
With respect to the encounter with the Stripper on Christmas, I'm freaked out that this could be HSV2 because the symptoms and pain have been great and I've never felt anything like this before; plus it seems to match with what other have experienced during an outbreak. And if I don't have HSV2, because you said I could not have caught it based on what I told you, could HSV1 cause and outbreak like this?? I'm perplexed since it is said genital HSV1 tends to be less sever and less recurrent.
My face is itching, tingling and hurting constantly ever since I accidentally rubbed my eyes after touching my penis head while inspecting what looked like tiny sores/irritation. Like I told you, I took a picture of the small red bumps that appeared in the area between my eye and my nose and the doctor said they did look like small herpetic, vesicles but you said that Herpes is NOT red bumps??? I'm not making this up. The skin area around my eyes feels raw, slimy and super dry and hurts! They said that it's not fungal so Idk what to do. I have Acyclovir but I don't want to take it until I wait long enough to rule out HSV2 via blood testing.
I'm sure I have to work on my mental health but that doesn't mean that what I am saying is not valid. It seems to me that the Doctor's knowledge about Herpes needs to be updated or something. I don't get why there are SO MANY people on here with similar symptoms and yet the doctors dismiss them. I understand that there are hypochondriacs but these symptoms ALWAYS begin after people had a sexual encounter. And since we all have different immune systems, isn't it likely that Herpes will not react the same way in some people?
What you say about how I could not have gotten HSV2 via bodily fluids, that makes me feel better but I need to know if HSV1 can cause the same symptoms as HSV2 and if a primary outbreak can occur later on. I also read that you cannot "ping pong" back and forth Herpes if you already have one type but I've read in other reputable sites that you actually CAN! If you're immune system is weak you can spread it to different parts of your body. I really feel I have spread it to my face.
When I have gone to try to get lesion/s swabbed, they always tell me they can't because there's no obvious lesions...but can't they still swab the area since it could be present in the skin??
I am awaiting my Blood Results and should receive them shortly. I took the test 1 week ago. The blood test was performed 10 weeks post last exposure.
Also, you said that you've never had guys turn you down when you disclosed that you have HSV2?? You must be a really good looking woman then! Where do you meet people with Herpes?? Because from what I've read, the dating sites are NOT very good. In the event I end up having this, where would you recommend me to find women with herpes? Thanks for your help.
No, you can't get hsv1 this way.
If you could have, I would have told you. You can transmit hsv1 by kissing or oral sex.
I don't know what is happening with you, but it is NOT herpes.
You can ask for a PCR culture, which is more sensitive than a regular culture and it may pick up on virus if it's there.
I'm not at all sure what you mean by "ping pong" back and forth?
What will you do when your test is negative?
I'm not that particularly good looking. I'm not unattractive, but I'm no super model. I'm pretty much your average woman in her late 40s. I have not used the dating sites - yes, they suck and some have real privacy concerns. I am just confident that I am more than herpes, I can answer questions they may have, and am strong enough that if they do turn me down, I know it's not personal. People can turn me down because I'm short, could lose some weight, they don't like my hair color - who knows? If they turn me down for something I can't control, that's out of MY control, and that person isn't right for me.
YOU DON'T NEED THEM, THOUGH.
Let me know when you have your test results. I can't answer these questions any differently.
Read this - https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/dec/29/stop-catastrophising-expert-guide-psychologist
And talk to your doctor about your anxiety. (I say all this with compassion and not criticism, but really, it's time for you to get some help.)
If you could have, I would have told you. You can transmit hsv1 by kissing or oral sex.
I don't know what is happening with you, but it is NOT herpes.
You can ask for a PCR culture, which is more sensitive than a regular culture and it may pick up on virus if it's there.
I'm not at all sure what you mean by "ping pong" back and forth?
What will you do when your test is negative?
I'm not that particularly good looking. I'm not unattractive, but I'm no super model. I'm pretty much your average woman in her late 40s. I have not used the dating sites - yes, they suck and some have real privacy concerns. I am just confident that I am more than herpes, I can answer questions they may have, and am strong enough that if they do turn me down, I know it's not personal. People can turn me down because I'm short, could lose some weight, they don't like my hair color - who knows? If they turn me down for something I can't control, that's out of MY control, and that person isn't right for me.
YOU DON'T NEED THEM, THOUGH.
Let me know when you have your test results. I can't answer these questions any differently.
Read this - https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/dec/29/stop-catastrophising-expert-guide-psychologist
And talk to your doctor about your anxiety. (I say all this with compassion and not criticism, but really, it's time for you to get some help.)
Thanks! I'm not sure if you misread but I DO have HSV-1 which I've tested positive for about 5 times so far in recent years. That is why I think I have it Genitally in addition to Orally, since I have received Unprotected Oral Sex by different Women before. What I don't understand so far is if Genital HSV1 outbreaks are as painful as HSV2; and if a primary outbreak ( or INTENSE) outbreak can occur after already being infected. That is why I'm perplexed. Isn't burning pain in the thighs and buttocks symptoms of a Herpes Outbreak??
Ping Ponging I meant spreading herpes to other parts of my body. I've read that you CAN.
I just found out that the testing they did is IGM and it came back Negative for both. I understand I need IGG. I will go next week to my next appointment and ask for IGG and if they don't, I will pay for one myself.
Is a Primary Care Physician the best place to ask for PCR cultures? They're always reluctant to do a culture if they don't see obvious lesions. Wondering where else they can.
My plan is to do a Western Blot at 4 months. When I take the IGG next week at 12 weeks post exposure, how accurate is the test?
You never addressed my questions regarding MILD herpes and the fact that people don't always develop the typical lesions. The pain I've felt is real and I have red bumps all over my butt. THey said it's Folliculitis but like some of the Doctor's on here have said, you never know until they swab it.
Thanks for the links. I will read them.
At the end of this ordeal, if it turns out I don't have HSV2? What do I do about HSV1? What if I do have it genitally? I'm afraid that I might actually have something and infect someone. Don't want to get in trouble or lose someone.
Ping Ponging I meant spreading herpes to other parts of my body. I've read that you CAN.
I just found out that the testing they did is IGM and it came back Negative for both. I understand I need IGG. I will go next week to my next appointment and ask for IGG and if they don't, I will pay for one myself.
Is a Primary Care Physician the best place to ask for PCR cultures? They're always reluctant to do a culture if they don't see obvious lesions. Wondering where else they can.
My plan is to do a Western Blot at 4 months. When I take the IGG next week at 12 weeks post exposure, how accurate is the test?
You never addressed my questions regarding MILD herpes and the fact that people don't always develop the typical lesions. The pain I've felt is real and I have red bumps all over my butt. THey said it's Folliculitis but like some of the Doctor's on here have said, you never know until they swab it.
Thanks for the links. I will read them.
At the end of this ordeal, if it turns out I don't have HSV2? What do I do about HSV1? What if I do have it genitally? I'm afraid that I might actually have something and infect someone. Don't want to get in trouble or lose someone.
I think I'm confusing myself here, and I'm sorry.
After you have antibodies for herpes (either type), it protects you from transmitting it to other parts of your body (it's called autoinoculation). It sounds like you've had hsv1 for some time, so this wouldn't be possible.
You can get tingling and burning and such with genital herpes, but not without actual blisters. If you were infected with genital hsv1 at the same time as oral hsv1, you'd have genital symptoms at that time. You don't get the nerve pain without an actual outbreak.
You can ask your primary doc for a PCR, but expect to educate them about it. Many docs don't know a lot about herpes. Your doc is doing IgM testing, which shouldn't be done on adults. You can read more about testing (including PCR and IgM here - https://westoverheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Updated-Herpes-Book.pdf)
I'm not discounting your pain. I'm fully on board with you having something wrong. I just don't think it's herpes. The pain you are experiencing wouldn't be "mild" herpes, and wouldn't occur without an actual outbreak. Herpes doesn't cause red bumps on your butt.
If you have ghsv1, the chances of you transmitting that are slim to none. You can read about that in the handbook I linked above, too. It sheds at a far less rate than ghsv2, and recurs much less frequently as well. Also, many people have hsv1 already, protecting them from getting it again.
As you said, your pain is REAL. Why you are focusing on herpes as the cause is something I don't understand, because it's prolonging your pain. You are missing the actual cause.
The handbook is written by Terri Warren. She is one of the leading experts on herpes, and you can trust her.
After you have antibodies for herpes (either type), it protects you from transmitting it to other parts of your body (it's called autoinoculation). It sounds like you've had hsv1 for some time, so this wouldn't be possible.
You can get tingling and burning and such with genital herpes, but not without actual blisters. If you were infected with genital hsv1 at the same time as oral hsv1, you'd have genital symptoms at that time. You don't get the nerve pain without an actual outbreak.
You can ask your primary doc for a PCR, but expect to educate them about it. Many docs don't know a lot about herpes. Your doc is doing IgM testing, which shouldn't be done on adults. You can read more about testing (including PCR and IgM here - https://westoverheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Updated-Herpes-Book.pdf)
I'm not discounting your pain. I'm fully on board with you having something wrong. I just don't think it's herpes. The pain you are experiencing wouldn't be "mild" herpes, and wouldn't occur without an actual outbreak. Herpes doesn't cause red bumps on your butt.
If you have ghsv1, the chances of you transmitting that are slim to none. You can read about that in the handbook I linked above, too. It sheds at a far less rate than ghsv2, and recurs much less frequently as well. Also, many people have hsv1 already, protecting them from getting it again.
As you said, your pain is REAL. Why you are focusing on herpes as the cause is something I don't understand, because it's prolonging your pain. You are missing the actual cause.
The handbook is written by Terri Warren. She is one of the leading experts on herpes, and you can trust her.
Hi auntiejessi, I've received a couple of messages so far from the Forum saying that I violated the guidelines for asking a personal question and for repeatedly asking a question even though I actually wasn't. I asked someone about their love life but it was more of how they've been affected by disclosing their status and the second question was regarding the outcome of someone who posted a question a while back. I don't understand why someone would report me.
Also, I tested again post 12 weeks from my last exposure with IgG test and it came back NEGATIVE. Based on this, how accurate is my test? I've read some posts where the Doctors recommend a 16 week test, especially if someone already has HSV-1 (like in my case) since it can delay seroconversion.
What do you think? I also plan on doing the Western Blot test.
I keep having constant irritation, burning, and tingling, with tight skin around my eyes and face. Also, a shiny residue keeps coming off the skin around my eyes and face where the irritation is occuring and when I rub my hands on my face, you can easily see my skin is like shiny/oily and now my hands and arms are experiencing this irritation since I've used them to rub my face. I don't get this. If autoinocculation is not possible, this makes me think it's probably HSV-2 and I'm spreading it to other parts of my body.
Also, I tested again post 12 weeks from my last exposure with IgG test and it came back NEGATIVE. Based on this, how accurate is my test? I've read some posts where the Doctors recommend a 16 week test, especially if someone already has HSV-1 (like in my case) since it can delay seroconversion.
What do you think? I also plan on doing the Western Blot test.
I keep having constant irritation, burning, and tingling, with tight skin around my eyes and face. Also, a shiny residue keeps coming off the skin around my eyes and face where the irritation is occuring and when I rub my hands on my face, you can easily see my skin is like shiny/oily and now my hands and arms are experiencing this irritation since I've used them to rub my face. I don't get this. If autoinocculation is not possible, this makes me think it's probably HSV-2 and I'm spreading it to other parts of my body.
I don't know about the warnings - the moderators don't ever share that info with us because they adhere to confidentiality really strictly - but perhaps it was the wording, or something, I don't know. Also, you don't have herpes. There is no indication that you do, contrary to what you think. Your 12 week test, which is a great indication, says you are negative.
Yes, with hsv1, you should test out to 16 weeks, but most people - including those with hsv1 - will test positive by 6 weeks, so your 12 week test isn't likely to change. You don't need a WB.
You had little to no risk for herpes, which is something you are not paying attention to. Herpes wouldn't cause any of these symptoms - shiny residue, shiny/oily skin, irritated hands and arms are not ever caused by herpes. Herpes causes blisters. It infects nerve groups. It can't infect intact skin, or the thick skin on most areas of your body.
If you refuse to hear this, and only focus on herpes, I can't help you. You are doing yourself a disservice by not focusing on your obvious anxiety and other real causes for your symptoms.
Yes, with hsv1, you should test out to 16 weeks, but most people - including those with hsv1 - will test positive by 6 weeks, so your 12 week test isn't likely to change. You don't need a WB.
You had little to no risk for herpes, which is something you are not paying attention to. Herpes wouldn't cause any of these symptoms - shiny residue, shiny/oily skin, irritated hands and arms are not ever caused by herpes. Herpes causes blisters. It infects nerve groups. It can't infect intact skin, or the thick skin on most areas of your body.
If you refuse to hear this, and only focus on herpes, I can't help you. You are doing yourself a disservice by not focusing on your obvious anxiety and other real causes for your symptoms.
Hi, I read someone on here that had HSV-1 and kept testing negative for HSV-2 leading up to 12 weeks and at 16 weeks, she tested EQUIVOCAL. I understand most test by 6 weeks but I'm a little nervous still. How rare is it to test positive after 16 weeks? Also, how accurate is it at 16 weeks? Can you be a person that would never test positive for HSV-2 in a blood test even though you may have it?
The burning rash and irritation I've been experiencing since January 27th started after touching tiny sores/irritation on my penis and then accidentally scratching and rubbing my eyes without washing my hands. That is why i'm so concerned. I think that although I may NOT have HSV-2, I probably do have Genital HSV-1 given the blister I told you about and also all the irritation and burning I've been feeling down there and in my butt and back of thighs. I'm pretty certain that if I were to show you that picture I took of my blister/lesion, 95% you'd be concerned.
I hear you and what you say has actually been making me feel better but because my symptoms persist, I can't get entirely over thinking this could be herpes. Based on everything I've read, Herpes will not always present itself in the classical/typical fashion, hence why so many people end up misdiagnosed and end up infecting others. I know you say not to focus my anxiety on herpes and look for other real causes but other causes seem less PROBABLE than herpes. The only other thing I may think I have is SCABIES since I've read that a doctor/dermatologist needs to sometimes take a skin biopsy in order to know you have SCABIES so I'm going to emphasize that next time at the doctors. The rash on my face has spread to my arms and it's just concerning.
Doesn't herpes change the texture of the skin where it appears or is embedded in? I've also read that that's something common. I hear you loud and clear but I'm losing hope since many doctors and nurses where I've been don't seem to be thorough and are not very knowledgeable about herpes.
I just wish medical professionals were more thorough when trying to find out the cause of something. It's very frustrating.
Also, could it be a yeast infection on my face? Or would that be obvious?
The burning rash and irritation I've been experiencing since January 27th started after touching tiny sores/irritation on my penis and then accidentally scratching and rubbing my eyes without washing my hands. That is why i'm so concerned. I think that although I may NOT have HSV-2, I probably do have Genital HSV-1 given the blister I told you about and also all the irritation and burning I've been feeling down there and in my butt and back of thighs. I'm pretty certain that if I were to show you that picture I took of my blister/lesion, 95% you'd be concerned.
I hear you and what you say has actually been making me feel better but because my symptoms persist, I can't get entirely over thinking this could be herpes. Based on everything I've read, Herpes will not always present itself in the classical/typical fashion, hence why so many people end up misdiagnosed and end up infecting others. I know you say not to focus my anxiety on herpes and look for other real causes but other causes seem less PROBABLE than herpes. The only other thing I may think I have is SCABIES since I've read that a doctor/dermatologist needs to sometimes take a skin biopsy in order to know you have SCABIES so I'm going to emphasize that next time at the doctors. The rash on my face has spread to my arms and it's just concerning.
Doesn't herpes change the texture of the skin where it appears or is embedded in? I've also read that that's something common. I hear you loud and clear but I'm losing hope since many doctors and nurses where I've been don't seem to be thorough and are not very knowledgeable about herpes.
I just wish medical professionals were more thorough when trying to find out the cause of something. It's very frustrating.
Also, could it be a yeast infection on my face? Or would that be obvious?
"Can you be a person that would never test positive for HSV-2 in a blood test even though you may have it?" - NO.
You keep talking about herpes presenting in atypical ways. This means that some people may not have symptoms at all, or may get itching, or really small blisters. This does NOT mean all-over-your-body symptoms. This does NOT mean PHN without ever having an outbreak, and this does NOT mean getting herpes from a little to no risk event.
Herpes does not embed in the skin. It does not cause scars, typically. It does NOT cause rashes.
Equivocal means nothing. It means inconclusive. Yes, there is some thought that having hsv1 can delay seroconversion by a few weeks, but everyone will test positive by 16 weeks, hsv1 or not. The 16 weeks takes hsv1 into account.
Test at 16 weeks, if you must, and I'm sure you feel you must. In the meantime, there is no indication that you have herpes, and it's doing you no favors to keep focusing on it.
You keep talking about herpes presenting in atypical ways. This means that some people may not have symptoms at all, or may get itching, or really small blisters. This does NOT mean all-over-your-body symptoms. This does NOT mean PHN without ever having an outbreak, and this does NOT mean getting herpes from a little to no risk event.
Herpes does not embed in the skin. It does not cause scars, typically. It does NOT cause rashes.
Equivocal means nothing. It means inconclusive. Yes, there is some thought that having hsv1 can delay seroconversion by a few weeks, but everyone will test positive by 16 weeks, hsv1 or not. The 16 weeks takes hsv1 into account.
Test at 16 weeks, if you must, and I'm sure you feel you must. In the meantime, there is no indication that you have herpes, and it's doing you no favors to keep focusing on it.
You could have a fungal infection on your face. See a dermatologist.
But I do experience itching and very early on in the thread when I explained how after touching my penis head while inspecting myself, I forgot to wash my hands and scratched and rubbed my eyes, I saw what looked like "tiny" sores/blisters.
How tiny are the sore/blisters? I've been out in the sun for work to do some field inspections and the sun light has triggered symptoms: intense itching and burning on my face where I have the rash. I understand UV light triggers herpes.
I started taking a supplement called "Herp Rescue" which I bought from Amazon. It has Lysiene and Oil of ORegano along with other immune boosting ingredients. I started taking it because I began to get intense burning/irritation on the back of my legs again and when taking this supplement, it really works but I have to keep taking it.
Do you think a supplement like this could interfere with blood tests and prompt a False Negative? Only Anti-Virals do that, correct?
I saw a video of Dr. HHH where he's talking about Herpes and he mentions that there's new data that shows that AutoInocculation is happening more than they originally thought.
Also, you said at the beginning of this thread that the exposure I had is NOT likely but possible but now you keep insisting that it's plain not possible.
Bodily fluids are an inefficient way of transmitting, but why did I begin to get these intense symptoms after this event??
Is an HSV-1 genital outbreak just as bad as HSV-2?? Intensity wise.
What do I do if my 4 week test is still NEGATIVE? How can I go on if I'm experiencing these symptoms. They're very uncomfortable and hurt.
How tiny are the sore/blisters? I've been out in the sun for work to do some field inspections and the sun light has triggered symptoms: intense itching and burning on my face where I have the rash. I understand UV light triggers herpes.
I started taking a supplement called "Herp Rescue" which I bought from Amazon. It has Lysiene and Oil of ORegano along with other immune boosting ingredients. I started taking it because I began to get intense burning/irritation on the back of my legs again and when taking this supplement, it really works but I have to keep taking it.
Do you think a supplement like this could interfere with blood tests and prompt a False Negative? Only Anti-Virals do that, correct?
I saw a video of Dr. HHH where he's talking about Herpes and he mentions that there's new data that shows that AutoInocculation is happening more than they originally thought.
Also, you said at the beginning of this thread that the exposure I had is NOT likely but possible but now you keep insisting that it's plain not possible.
Bodily fluids are an inefficient way of transmitting, but why did I begin to get these intense symptoms after this event??
Is an HSV-1 genital outbreak just as bad as HSV-2?? Intensity wise.
What do I do if my 4 week test is still NEGATIVE? How can I go on if I'm experiencing these symptoms. They're very uncomfortable and hurt.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Vesicles? Loads and loads of things can cause vesicles on the skin. Just a few:
Minor causes of vesicles include: (https://www.healthline.com/health/vesicles#causes)
allergic reactions that cause skin irritation
dermatitis or eczema
contact dermatitis, such as from poison ivy or poison oak
cold sores
autoimmune disorders, such as bullous pemphigoid
chickenpox or shingles
skin diseases that cause blistering, such as porphyria cutanea tarda
impetigo, a skin condition caused by infection with strep or staph bacteria
herpes
Infected hair follicles can also be mistaken for vesicles.
"Regarding the exposure I had from the stripper rubbing my testicles..." - this was NOT an exposure. Did you read the links I posted above? I'm doing the absolute best I can to help you, but I do expect you to read what I post. Her rubbing your testicles is not going to transmit herpes. You can continue to ask it in different ways, but it won't change the facts.
You have been told several times that this is balanitis or jock itch. Planned Parenthood knows what herpes looks like. They know what balanitis and jock itch looks like. They see all three all the time.
Getting herpes from a single, one-time protected encounter is very, very unlikely. You won't get it from sitting on the couch bare-assed naked. You won't get it from her rubbing any part of your body. I can't, and won't, say this in any other way.
You have real symptoms. They are not herpes related.
Small red bumps between your eye and nose are not herpes.
I'm an glad that you are getting the blood test. Call him and make sure it's a type specific IgG blood test, or a type 2 IgG test only. Testing you for type 1 or a combo test that doesn't differentiate is pointless and won't solve anything. Doctors often don't order the correct test, so make sure he did. I think we will all scream if these tests don't answer your questions.
Minor causes of vesicles include: (https://www.healthline.com/health/vesicles#causes)
allergic reactions that cause skin irritation
dermatitis or eczema
contact dermatitis, such as from poison ivy or poison oak
cold sores
autoimmune disorders, such as bullous pemphigoid
chickenpox or shingles
skin diseases that cause blistering, such as porphyria cutanea tarda
impetigo, a skin condition caused by infection with strep or staph bacteria
herpes
Infected hair follicles can also be mistaken for vesicles.
"Regarding the exposure I had from the stripper rubbing my testicles..." - this was NOT an exposure. Did you read the links I posted above? I'm doing the absolute best I can to help you, but I do expect you to read what I post. Her rubbing your testicles is not going to transmit herpes. You can continue to ask it in different ways, but it won't change the facts.
You have been told several times that this is balanitis or jock itch. Planned Parenthood knows what herpes looks like. They know what balanitis and jock itch looks like. They see all three all the time.
Getting herpes from a single, one-time protected encounter is very, very unlikely. You won't get it from sitting on the couch bare-assed naked. You won't get it from her rubbing any part of your body. I can't, and won't, say this in any other way.
You have real symptoms. They are not herpes related.
Small red bumps between your eye and nose are not herpes.
I'm an glad that you are getting the blood test. Call him and make sure it's a type specific IgG blood test, or a type 2 IgG test only. Testing you for type 1 or a combo test that doesn't differentiate is pointless and won't solve anything. Doctors often don't order the correct test, so make sure he did. I think we will all scream if these tests don't answer your questions.
2 Comments
I'm so sorry I hear you but as you stated within your very 1st response, it's not impossible to get it via bodily fluids. I also understand that it needs to be an IGG test and will make sure of that. If I already have HSV-1 do I need to wait even longer for blood IGG test to be conclusive? I've read that on multiple posts. I'm assuming a 4 month after last exposure test would be conclusive?
Btw, if you don't mind me asking, how old are you and how long have you had HSV-2 for?
Btw, if you don't mind me asking, how old are you and how long have you had HSV-2 for?
And I've been having buttock burning pain again as well as in my upper back thighs. It hurts. :(
COMMUNITY LEADER
Okay, listen.
You haven't had symptoms of herpes. You had a blister that disappeared within 24 hours - that doesn't happen with herpes. Ever. Not ever.
You have some burning and tingling and such. This can be caused with herpes after you have an outbreak. NOT without one. You haven't had one.
Your doctor diagnosed you with balanitis. He saw it. I didn't see it, and I'm not a doctor, but I thought balanitis quite a few times reading your symptoms. It wouldn't cause the burning and tingling, but it could cause some of your other symptoms.
You were NOT AT RISK for herpes from the encounter you describe. You couldn't have gotten it. Plain and simple. You are not listening to me on that. Here are some threads from our experts (when we had them) that may help. Please read them thoroughly. Read them again.
https://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Nervous-about-mutual-masturbation/show/2183476
https://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Mutual-Masturbation-STD/show/1968429
https://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/mutual-masturbation-sti/show/1858544
https://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Understanding-the-risks-of-mutual-fingering/show/1516796
https://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV---Prevention/Vaginal-fluid-on-hand-touched-inside-of-condom-and-head-of-penis/show/1119533 - read this thread thoroughly. There is an excellent explanation about why certain activities are not risks, and why others are.
Scabies? I doubt it, but read this and see what you think - https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-scabies-overview
If I had hsv1 (I don't, but do have hsv2), I would tell my partners. I would tell them as part of an overall discussion of STDs. Since you could transmit that during oral sex, it's a courtesy to explain that. If your partner already has hsv1, you don't have to worry about that, though I would avoid kissing and oral sex when you have any symptoms orally.
I tell all my partners about my hsv2. I've never had anyone turn me down. I've even tried using it as a deterrent - like, no dude, you don't want me, I have herpes - and that didn't work. A few have even told me they have it, too.
Towels - because they may be damp, they may have virus on them. It's a theory, and I haven't heard of any cases where that's actually transmitted herpes. I think sharing towels isn't a good idea - you can spread other things that way, so sharing towels isn't smart.
Please continue to work with your doctor about your symptoms. They are NOT related to herpes. Perhaps you have a pinched nerve, or something, but it's not herpes. You do yourself a disservice by not exploring things other than herpes.
I'm not sure why you are so anxious about this encounter - if you feel guilt, have a germ fear, or what - but guilt and/or anxiety does not equal risk.
Talk to your doctor about anxiety. You skip right over that every time I say it, and don't think I haven't noticed that. Talk to your doctor about it.
You haven't had symptoms of herpes. You had a blister that disappeared within 24 hours - that doesn't happen with herpes. Ever. Not ever.
You have some burning and tingling and such. This can be caused with herpes after you have an outbreak. NOT without one. You haven't had one.
Your doctor diagnosed you with balanitis. He saw it. I didn't see it, and I'm not a doctor, but I thought balanitis quite a few times reading your symptoms. It wouldn't cause the burning and tingling, but it could cause some of your other symptoms.
You were NOT AT RISK for herpes from the encounter you describe. You couldn't have gotten it. Plain and simple. You are not listening to me on that. Here are some threads from our experts (when we had them) that may help. Please read them thoroughly. Read them again.
https://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Nervous-about-mutual-masturbation/show/2183476
https://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Mutual-Masturbation-STD/show/1968429
https://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/mutual-masturbation-sti/show/1858544
https://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Understanding-the-risks-of-mutual-fingering/show/1516796
https://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV---Prevention/Vaginal-fluid-on-hand-touched-inside-of-condom-and-head-of-penis/show/1119533 - read this thread thoroughly. There is an excellent explanation about why certain activities are not risks, and why others are.
Scabies? I doubt it, but read this and see what you think - https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-scabies-overview
If I had hsv1 (I don't, but do have hsv2), I would tell my partners. I would tell them as part of an overall discussion of STDs. Since you could transmit that during oral sex, it's a courtesy to explain that. If your partner already has hsv1, you don't have to worry about that, though I would avoid kissing and oral sex when you have any symptoms orally.
I tell all my partners about my hsv2. I've never had anyone turn me down. I've even tried using it as a deterrent - like, no dude, you don't want me, I have herpes - and that didn't work. A few have even told me they have it, too.
Towels - because they may be damp, they may have virus on them. It's a theory, and I haven't heard of any cases where that's actually transmitted herpes. I think sharing towels isn't a good idea - you can spread other things that way, so sharing towels isn't smart.
Please continue to work with your doctor about your symptoms. They are NOT related to herpes. Perhaps you have a pinched nerve, or something, but it's not herpes. You do yourself a disservice by not exploring things other than herpes.
I'm not sure why you are so anxious about this encounter - if you feel guilt, have a germ fear, or what - but guilt and/or anxiety does not equal risk.
Talk to your doctor about anxiety. You skip right over that every time I say it, and don't think I haven't noticed that. Talk to your doctor about it.
1 Comments
I agree that I have anxiety. Regarding the exposure I had from the stripper rubbing my testicles, I actually did have what looked like bumps very near the area. Probably an inch or two further below my balls. At the time that I was experiencing the most pain/discomfort, I kept taking pictures of that area by squatting to make sure I had a good angle. The thing is I kept focusing on my *** and thighs because of the pain/irritation and since i was very hairy down there (perineum), I may have overlooked initial lesions.
After looking at my pictures (several of them I took for days after symptoms began) I noticed some scaly bumps within a rash and so I went to urgent care doctors a few times and planned parenthood once and they said it looked like fungus/jock itch and/or balanitis although one said it looked like a wart. My problem is that I may have gone too late and therefore lesions were healing and not obvious or I have a MILD case of herpes, which a lot of people do, correct?
Regarding my eyes/face, I went to my PCP yesterday and told him everything. Had blood drawn for everything including HSV2 (10 weeks post incident). I had some small red bumps appear between my eye and nose and so I decided to take pictures over a week ago. Showed him the pics and he said it could be vesicles! But could it swab since they were healing. I'm pretty sure its herpes and if it is I hope its HSV1 and not HSV2. Don't want it to recur often on my face/eyes.
I've read many of the posts regarding mutual mastuebation and hand to genital contact but I feel that herpes is more contagious than they make it out to be or may be I just have very sensitive skin which makes it easier to infect. I hope I'm wrong and you're right but I can't fathom any other condition causing these type of symptoms, especially after that incident.
Could a HSV1 outbreak be as intense as an HSV2 or a primary outbreak occur long after acquiring HSV1? I know I have that so that's why I ask.
I understand herpes does not go away in a day or even two,but it was in my penis head where its constantly wet so it probably popped and never scabbed over. Does this really seem far fetched??
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me.
After looking at my pictures (several of them I took for days after symptoms began) I noticed some scaly bumps within a rash and so I went to urgent care doctors a few times and planned parenthood once and they said it looked like fungus/jock itch and/or balanitis although one said it looked like a wart. My problem is that I may have gone too late and therefore lesions were healing and not obvious or I have a MILD case of herpes, which a lot of people do, correct?
Regarding my eyes/face, I went to my PCP yesterday and told him everything. Had blood drawn for everything including HSV2 (10 weeks post incident). I had some small red bumps appear between my eye and nose and so I decided to take pictures over a week ago. Showed him the pics and he said it could be vesicles! But could it swab since they were healing. I'm pretty sure its herpes and if it is I hope its HSV1 and not HSV2. Don't want it to recur often on my face/eyes.
I've read many of the posts regarding mutual mastuebation and hand to genital contact but I feel that herpes is more contagious than they make it out to be or may be I just have very sensitive skin which makes it easier to infect. I hope I'm wrong and you're right but I can't fathom any other condition causing these type of symptoms, especially after that incident.
Could a HSV1 outbreak be as intense as an HSV2 or a primary outbreak occur long after acquiring HSV1? I know I have that so that's why I ask.
I understand herpes does not go away in a day or even two,but it was in my penis head where its constantly wet so it probably popped and never scabbed over. Does this really seem far fetched??
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me.
COMMUNITY LEADER
You posted this on someone else's thread. To keep all your info in one place, I'm copying/pasting it here:
auntiejessi, you've responded to one of my questions not too long ago. Not sure if you're able to locate my question. I've also paid to ask the question in the new forum and was replied by Terri Warren. Anyway, about a month ago I kept checking myself for sores down there since I was experiencing chafing sensations along with tingling/burning behind my legs and on the buttocks, i noticed what looked like tiny sores/blisters on my penis head and I was touching them to try to get a better look. I forgot to wash my hands and several minutes later I ended up touching/rubbing my eyes. This was a month ago and ever since my eyelids and area around my eyes has been very irritated and feels like burning and like the skin is tight. No noticeable sores but it just doesn't feel right. Went to the dermatologist and optometrist and they said it's not herpes. However, can it be that it just hasn't presented itself in the typical case?? Something is wrong and I do feel it's herpes because it started within a couple of days of the incident i mentioned. I have Valtrex but have refused to take it so far because i want to wait long enough to take another IGG test to see if I ended up getting HSV-2 since I already have HSV-1.
My response:
First, stop checking yourself. If you get sores, you'll know it. Herpes blisters are not "tiny sores/blisters" on your penis head. Have you had those looked at by a doctor? Most often, you'll get sores at the point of infection - your penis head was covered by a condom, making that not the point of infection. Google pearly penile papules and see if that fits.
What did Terri say to you? Whatever she said, trust it. She is the best.
Herpes in the eye doesn't really present in an untypical way. What did the optometrist say it was? I assume they did some testing, looked into your eye and determined it wasn't herpes. It's a pretty straightforward diagnosis. Perhaps you have dry eye or allergies or something. I was just diagnosed with dry eye, and have been attributing my symptoms to allergies for years. It sounds a lot like what you're experiencing.
I agree with your decision to not take the Valtrex, but only because you don't need it. It won't help your symptoms, as they aren't caused by herpes.
My suggestion to you, and I say this with only compassion, is that you focus on getting some relief from your anxiety. Your risk was really low, and your reaction to it is overblown.
auntiejessi, you've responded to one of my questions not too long ago. Not sure if you're able to locate my question. I've also paid to ask the question in the new forum and was replied by Terri Warren. Anyway, about a month ago I kept checking myself for sores down there since I was experiencing chafing sensations along with tingling/burning behind my legs and on the buttocks, i noticed what looked like tiny sores/blisters on my penis head and I was touching them to try to get a better look. I forgot to wash my hands and several minutes later I ended up touching/rubbing my eyes. This was a month ago and ever since my eyelids and area around my eyes has been very irritated and feels like burning and like the skin is tight. No noticeable sores but it just doesn't feel right. Went to the dermatologist and optometrist and they said it's not herpes. However, can it be that it just hasn't presented itself in the typical case?? Something is wrong and I do feel it's herpes because it started within a couple of days of the incident i mentioned. I have Valtrex but have refused to take it so far because i want to wait long enough to take another IGG test to see if I ended up getting HSV-2 since I already have HSV-1.
My response:
First, stop checking yourself. If you get sores, you'll know it. Herpes blisters are not "tiny sores/blisters" on your penis head. Have you had those looked at by a doctor? Most often, you'll get sores at the point of infection - your penis head was covered by a condom, making that not the point of infection. Google pearly penile papules and see if that fits.
What did Terri say to you? Whatever she said, trust it. She is the best.
Herpes in the eye doesn't really present in an untypical way. What did the optometrist say it was? I assume they did some testing, looked into your eye and determined it wasn't herpes. It's a pretty straightforward diagnosis. Perhaps you have dry eye or allergies or something. I was just diagnosed with dry eye, and have been attributing my symptoms to allergies for years. It sounds a lot like what you're experiencing.
I agree with your decision to not take the Valtrex, but only because you don't need it. It won't help your symptoms, as they aren't caused by herpes.
My suggestion to you, and I say this with only compassion, is that you focus on getting some relief from your anxiety. Your risk was really low, and your reaction to it is overblown.
4 Comments
The incident I describe in my initial post (this past Christmas) worried me for acquiring HSV-2. So far I have tested a few times, the latest being at 6 weeks, and HSV-2 is NEGATIVE. I already knew I have HSV-1 from a while. Prior to all of this, I had irritation/burning on my penis head and went to the doctor several times in late 2017. I did FULL STD testing and the only thing that came back positive was HSV-1. The doctors said I had ballinitis/jock itch and in December of 2017 I noticed a "watery" blister on the head of my penis where the foreskin retracts (i'm not circumcized). I took a picture just in case, and the same day after I got off work I went to the Doctor in the evening and it was gone! But it was still irritated (i'm assuming it popped or something). The doctor did not notice anything and then I showed him the pic and he said it did look herpetic! but since it's gone he could not swab it. I'm assuming this was due to genital HSV-1 since it's all that I tested positive for and I only received unprotected oral sex from women.
Now, the event I described in my initial post up at the top is for this past Christmas and what worries we is that I may have caught HSV-2!! Since I was exposed to Vaginal fluids and she rubbed my balls (friction). Since then I had all the pain on my butt, thighs, itching and irritation which led me to believe this was HSV-2 (more intense). So far I've tested NEGATIVE for HSV-2 and am schedule for a PCP this upcoming Tuesday (10 weeks from last exposure of concern). I will test again but from what I've read, if you already have HSV-1 (and I do since the results said HIGH with a value of 47), apparently HSV-1 antibodies can delay blood test results for HSV-2! Which makes me think I need to wait longer.
Also, last night I went to Urgent Care because I noticed a "sore" that is red on my pubic area at the top corner pointing towards where my appendix would be, but it's in the pubic hair area. The doctor was hesitant when analyzing but said it looked fungal but I asked him to swab it anyway but he REFUSED!!! I just want to know what I'm dealing with!!! Why do freaking doctors avoid Herpes related concerns!!!! I'm gonna pay for the swab and visits so why not ******* swab it either way??! What pissed me off more is that at first he said they didn't swab there and later he said he's not going to swab it if he doesn't think it's herpetic... so which is it? Why is he lying or avoiding doing the swab??
That is why I'm scared I may have infected the area around my eyes and face with it. It feels very irritated and prickly and sometimes I get stings and tingling. I went to 2 different Dermatologists and 4 times to an Optometrist and 1 to an Opthamologist and they all said it was not herpes. The Optometrist performed the SLit Lamp test and put a Dye in my eyes and he did this every time I went and never saw the Herpes Dendrytes. He did say that it could be in the skin around my eyes but I need to relax and just follow up if my eyes start hurting again. My concern is that Herpes HIDES very well!!! Hence, the name! That's why it was named that way. Not everyone gets symptoms in the typical fashion.
I'm so worried and I live with my dad and sister with her daughter. The other day I took a shower and left my towel hanging so it can dry and my niece used it later to dry her face after washing her face and I got freaked out!!! I've been bringing in my towels just to be safe and forgot to bring it to my room. Now she's had a fever and had "red spots" develop on her face!! My sister says she had been throwing up and that those come out when you throw up a lot but makes me wonder if it's herpes! How horrible to give someone innocent a nasty disease in that way.
What else could be causing this?? Not likely anything else. If this is not HSV-2, could HSV-1 outbreak have gotten worse and cause me all these symptoms??? That's why I keep thinking HSV-2.
Now, the event I described in my initial post up at the top is for this past Christmas and what worries we is that I may have caught HSV-2!! Since I was exposed to Vaginal fluids and she rubbed my balls (friction). Since then I had all the pain on my butt, thighs, itching and irritation which led me to believe this was HSV-2 (more intense). So far I've tested NEGATIVE for HSV-2 and am schedule for a PCP this upcoming Tuesday (10 weeks from last exposure of concern). I will test again but from what I've read, if you already have HSV-1 (and I do since the results said HIGH with a value of 47), apparently HSV-1 antibodies can delay blood test results for HSV-2! Which makes me think I need to wait longer.
Also, last night I went to Urgent Care because I noticed a "sore" that is red on my pubic area at the top corner pointing towards where my appendix would be, but it's in the pubic hair area. The doctor was hesitant when analyzing but said it looked fungal but I asked him to swab it anyway but he REFUSED!!! I just want to know what I'm dealing with!!! Why do freaking doctors avoid Herpes related concerns!!!! I'm gonna pay for the swab and visits so why not ******* swab it either way??! What pissed me off more is that at first he said they didn't swab there and later he said he's not going to swab it if he doesn't think it's herpetic... so which is it? Why is he lying or avoiding doing the swab??
That is why I'm scared I may have infected the area around my eyes and face with it. It feels very irritated and prickly and sometimes I get stings and tingling. I went to 2 different Dermatologists and 4 times to an Optometrist and 1 to an Opthamologist and they all said it was not herpes. The Optometrist performed the SLit Lamp test and put a Dye in my eyes and he did this every time I went and never saw the Herpes Dendrytes. He did say that it could be in the skin around my eyes but I need to relax and just follow up if my eyes start hurting again. My concern is that Herpes HIDES very well!!! Hence, the name! That's why it was named that way. Not everyone gets symptoms in the typical fashion.
I'm so worried and I live with my dad and sister with her daughter. The other day I took a shower and left my towel hanging so it can dry and my niece used it later to dry her face after washing her face and I got freaked out!!! I've been bringing in my towels just to be safe and forgot to bring it to my room. Now she's had a fever and had "red spots" develop on her face!! My sister says she had been throwing up and that those come out when you throw up a lot but makes me wonder if it's herpes! How horrible to give someone innocent a nasty disease in that way.
What else could be causing this?? Not likely anything else. If this is not HSV-2, could HSV-1 outbreak have gotten worse and cause me all these symptoms??? That's why I keep thinking HSV-2.
Okay so first -
Herpes sores don't disappear within hours. It would take at least a few days. I don't know what you saw, or what the doctor saw, but what you describe isn't herpes. Google balanitis and see if that fits?
Second - friction. Her rubbing your testicles with her hand is not the friction I meant. I meant like genitals rubbing together. She can NOT infect you with her hand.
Third - Your eye doctor did all the appropriate testing and found no herpes in your eyes. Even if you got untypical symptoms, the testing would have shown it. And irregular symptoms refer to genital herpes, not ocular herpes. Those are pretty typical.
Fourth - In theory, towels can spread herpes if they are wet. You were hanging your towel to dry. Your niece used it later. And dear god, a fever and red spots sounds like measles, which is currently having a resurgence. That's WAY more concerning than herpes. (Also, her intact skin would prevent her from getting herpes on her face.) If you mean she has petechiae, those are little broken blood vessels, and could be caused from serious vomiting.
Fifth - I don't know why the doctor didn't swab it. I wish he would have so you'd know this isn't herpes. Again though - google balanitis.
I'm going to say it again - get help for the anxiety. Even if you do have herpes (which I seriously doubt), you're going to need some help with anxiety. You are already panicking and overreacting, and you probably don't have it.
Herpes sores don't disappear within hours. It would take at least a few days. I don't know what you saw, or what the doctor saw, but what you describe isn't herpes. Google balanitis and see if that fits?
Second - friction. Her rubbing your testicles with her hand is not the friction I meant. I meant like genitals rubbing together. She can NOT infect you with her hand.
Third - Your eye doctor did all the appropriate testing and found no herpes in your eyes. Even if you got untypical symptoms, the testing would have shown it. And irregular symptoms refer to genital herpes, not ocular herpes. Those are pretty typical.
Fourth - In theory, towels can spread herpes if they are wet. You were hanging your towel to dry. Your niece used it later. And dear god, a fever and red spots sounds like measles, which is currently having a resurgence. That's WAY more concerning than herpes. (Also, her intact skin would prevent her from getting herpes on her face.) If you mean she has petechiae, those are little broken blood vessels, and could be caused from serious vomiting.
Fifth - I don't know why the doctor didn't swab it. I wish he would have so you'd know this isn't herpes. Again though - google balanitis.
I'm going to say it again - get help for the anxiety. Even if you do have herpes (which I seriously doubt), you're going to need some help with anxiety. You are already panicking and overreacting, and you probably don't have it.
auntiejessi, I really appreciate your thorough responses. Seriously you're a saint. I had all the typical pains after an outbreak, nerve intense pain behind my thigs, butt, and groin, for weeks, still do again but mild, and tender groin skin. That blister that I told you that was gone, it probably popped by the time I got to the doctor, no??? I read that if it's in the head it will not crust since the head is always moist because of urine and what not. I am not circumcized. Yes, balanitis is what doctor's have told me but what other things could cause those type of blisters??? I sincerely hope you're right and that I am wrong but this is TOO coincidental and the pain is real. I know that I'm suffering from anxiety but the symptoms are too real.
It seems to me that doctors and other specialists, are not aware of ALL the variety of symptoms this disease can pose in people. After all, isn't the reason that the virus has thrived for thousands of years due to its ability to evolve and adapt? Something is definitely going on around my eyes skin area. I hope it's not but it just feels tingly/burning with raw skin, which is what people typically feel during an outbreak. Can a doctor swab that skin without obvious lesions/blisters/sores?? Doctors have told me no because they have to get "fluid" but one of the doctor's has said that the skin can contain "virus" and therefore you should swab.
The only other thing I can think of is "Scabies"?? Do you happen to know about this STD?? It seems to be something else that coincides with symptoms but I don't have obvious typical symptoms that are shown in pictures.
My biggest fear is not being able to date normally because of this disease, and if I don't ever test positive for HSV-2 but I do have HSV-1, do I need to disclose this to a girl in the future?? I don't want to give it to a potential gf/wife and lose them and/or get in trouble. The symptoms I am feeling make me feel there is definitely something going on.
It seems to me that doctors and other specialists, are not aware of ALL the variety of symptoms this disease can pose in people. After all, isn't the reason that the virus has thrived for thousands of years due to its ability to evolve and adapt? Something is definitely going on around my eyes skin area. I hope it's not but it just feels tingly/burning with raw skin, which is what people typically feel during an outbreak. Can a doctor swab that skin without obvious lesions/blisters/sores?? Doctors have told me no because they have to get "fluid" but one of the doctor's has said that the skin can contain "virus" and therefore you should swab.
The only other thing I can think of is "Scabies"?? Do you happen to know about this STD?? It seems to be something else that coincides with symptoms but I don't have obvious typical symptoms that are shown in pictures.
My biggest fear is not being able to date normally because of this disease, and if I don't ever test positive for HSV-2 but I do have HSV-1, do I need to disclose this to a girl in the future?? I don't want to give it to a potential gf/wife and lose them and/or get in trouble. The symptoms I am feeling make me feel there is definitely something going on.
You mentioned that in theory a "wet " towel can spread herpes but vaginal fluids with a hand cannot or not as likely??? How do you figure?? Also, the symptoms I've had in my genitals, can't it be a "mild" case of herpes? Afterall, most people infected don't know they are because their symptoms are mild, am I right? That's why I'm concerned; and in particular, concerned with HSV-2. I already tested positive for HSV-1 which makes me believe I may have it genitally in addition to orally. But like I already explained, my last exposure in Christmas is what concerns me since days later I started getting intense symptoms that I've never experienced prior to that. Herpes is a "nerve" infection so why do so many knowledgeable people downplay symptoms such as pain the legs, thighs, groin, buttocks and tingling/burning?
COMMUNITY LEADER
So first, you can get herpes any time your mucous membranes touch someone else's mucous membranes and there is some decent friction involved. Since a condom doesn't cover all the mucous membranes, you can get herpes while using a condom. It's less likely, but not impossible.
That said, getting herpes from a single protected encounter, you being male and your partner female, is quite unlikely. You don't know that she has anything, either. Her use of condoms is as much - or more so - to protect herself as much as it is to protect you.
Sitting bare-assed on a couch won't give you anything except maybe anxiety.
Rubbing/handjobs/mutual masturbation doesn't transmit herpes.
So the tingling and burning. Could be anxiety, a hyperfocus on the area since this happened, or maybe jock itch again.
Was your encounter a year ago with a professional? Maybe this gives you anxiety? I can't answer that for you, and don't mean to discount your symptoms. Symptoms brought on by anxiety are REAL and scary.
That said, getting herpes from a single protected encounter, you being male and your partner female, is quite unlikely. You don't know that she has anything, either. Her use of condoms is as much - or more so - to protect herself as much as it is to protect you.
Sitting bare-assed on a couch won't give you anything except maybe anxiety.
Rubbing/handjobs/mutual masturbation doesn't transmit herpes.
So the tingling and burning. Could be anxiety, a hyperfocus on the area since this happened, or maybe jock itch again.
Was your encounter a year ago with a professional? Maybe this gives you anxiety? I can't answer that for you, and don't mean to discount your symptoms. Symptoms brought on by anxiety are REAL and scary.
7 Comments
How do I go about paying to get my questions answered by a Physician??? You mention that a mucous membrane has to touch another mucous membrane along with some decent friction in order to get herpes but since I had a condom on, the only exposed areas are my ball sack and that is NOT a mucous membrane, right??
Well, it's not, but the skin is thinner than other areas, but this is why (in part) it's harder for men to get herpes from women than the other way around.
Seriously, unless you get blisters, I wouldn't worry about herpes from a single, protected encounter. It's just not likely to happen at all.
Seriously, unless you get blisters, I wouldn't worry about herpes from a single, protected encounter. It's just not likely to happen at all.
Oh and we no longer have experts on the site.
Here are some answers that might help though -
https://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Risk-of-Herpes-from-this-exposure/show/1845261
https://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Risk-from-protected-sex-with-CSW/show/2007163
https://www.medhelp.org/posts/Herpes/Herpes-from-protected-sex-with-sex-worker/show/1331849
I hope this helps. Dr. Handsfield and Terri Warren are leading experts in the field.
Here are some answers that might help though -
https://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Risk-of-Herpes-from-this-exposure/show/1845261
https://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Risk-from-protected-sex-with-CSW/show/2007163
https://www.medhelp.org/posts/Herpes/Herpes-from-protected-sex-with-sex-worker/show/1331849
I hope this helps. Dr. Handsfield and Terri Warren are leading experts in the field.
After my last encounter on Christmas, about 10/15 mins later i put lots of hand sanitizer on my balls and buttocks and groin area just in case. i have since gotten a swab culture test NEGATIVE for both and just had a blood test (IgG for both HSV1 and HSV2. The test came out positive for HSV1 and negative for HSV2 but HSV1 was REALLY high 47.30 from a range that says greater than 1.09 is positive. Why is it so high? What does that mean?? Also, as I mentioned, I've had the burning tingling feeling on my penis before and groin area however this time since the Christmas incident I have the same burning feeling plus on my buttocks and behind my thighs as well as my scrotum. My mind has me thinking what if this is HSV2.
Why do so many people who test NEGATIVE keep having the same persistent symptoms (burning/tingling crawling feelings)???
Why do so many people who test NEGATIVE keep having the same persistent symptoms (burning/tingling crawling feelings)???
Hand sanitizer has a lot of chemicals in it that don't belong on the genitals, and it won't work to cure you of anything, either. Once you're exposed, you're exposed. (Exposure doesn't equal transmission.)
I don't know why your hsv1 result is so high. There is a question from someone else recently that their hsv2 test was in the 50s - like 57.something. Maybe labs are not stopping at a certain number any longer, or they've just changed the way they report. It doesn't mean you are more positive or have a worse case of herpes or anything. You could test tomorrow and have a 32.3 result, and the following day back up to 47, and it's all still the same thing.
"Why do so many people who test NEGATIVE keep having the same persistent symptoms (burning/tingling crawling feelings)???" - I don't know. I suspect it's anxiety for some. Hyper focus on the area can cause you to notice some of these feelings that you might normally have that you wouldn't ordinarily notice. Some likely have a prostate issue - inflammation of the prostate can cause some of these feelings. Some may have a nerve issue. There is no STD that causes a "crawling" feeling.
While it's unlikely you got herpes from this, it's possible. Test again for hsv2 at 4 months. In the meantime, try to focus on other things - work or school, doing your normal activities, etc - see if that lessens the feelings. If they get worse, see your doctor for a prostate exam or more testing (urine, possible exam of nerve issues, etc.).
I don't know why your hsv1 result is so high. There is a question from someone else recently that their hsv2 test was in the 50s - like 57.something. Maybe labs are not stopping at a certain number any longer, or they've just changed the way they report. It doesn't mean you are more positive or have a worse case of herpes or anything. You could test tomorrow and have a 32.3 result, and the following day back up to 47, and it's all still the same thing.
"Why do so many people who test NEGATIVE keep having the same persistent symptoms (burning/tingling crawling feelings)???" - I don't know. I suspect it's anxiety for some. Hyper focus on the area can cause you to notice some of these feelings that you might normally have that you wouldn't ordinarily notice. Some likely have a prostate issue - inflammation of the prostate can cause some of these feelings. Some may have a nerve issue. There is no STD that causes a "crawling" feeling.
While it's unlikely you got herpes from this, it's possible. Test again for hsv2 at 4 months. In the meantime, try to focus on other things - work or school, doing your normal activities, etc - see if that lessens the feelings. If they get worse, see your doctor for a prostate exam or more testing (urine, possible exam of nerve issues, etc.).
But herpes affects the nerves so this can be linked right????
Yes, herpes infects nerve groups, but you don't get nerve pain without having an actual outbreak with blisters. If this was all related to herpes, people would be having positive tests. The tests look for antibodies to herpes, and if you had herpes, you'd have antibodies. No way around that.
There are a bazillion things that can cause what you are feeling - anxiety, a pinched nerve, sciatica, a compressed disc or other back injury, pelvic pain syndrome, prostatitis, etc., etc., etc.
There are a bazillion things that can cause what you are feeling - anxiety, a pinched nerve, sciatica, a compressed disc or other back injury, pelvic pain syndrome, prostatitis, etc., etc., etc.
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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.
