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May have contracted an STD from oral?
Hi all.
Wanted to get your opinions on the likelihood that I have been infected with genital herpes (or another STD). Now, obviously, none of you are going to be able to give me a firm diagnosis over the internet but as I probably won’t be able to see a dr regarding this for another week I would really appreciate your input as I’m freaking out a little.
So, 8 days ago (Sunday evening) I had unprotected receptive oral sex prior to having protected vaginal sex.
3 days later (Wednesday evening) I noticed a single, firm bump on the side of my penis after a shower. It seemed to form right under a hair. It appeared slightly moist but there was no pain unless I pressed down on it. I do not know if there was a blister or pimple there previously that I missed and potentially broke open during my shower, but if there was it was small enough I did not notice it beforehand and did not feel it burst.
By the next day a small scab had formed over the area. It was a little itchy (as scabs usually are) but not more than that and there continued to be no pain unless I pressed down on the bump. I did notice what I could best describe as some flaky skin around the bump, but I don’t know if that’s related as I have been dealing with dry skin issues generally (an on my penis specifically) and it could just be the tension from the raised skin causing the effect to be a little more noticeable.
2 days later (Saturday), again in the shower and even when trying to be careful, the scab fell off the area and revealed that the bump’s swelling seemed to have reduced slightly but that it was still a little moist as if it was not fully healed.
By today the bump seems to have dried and formed a head like a pimple. Still no pain unless I press on it, though as the pimple has swelled a little it is slightly more sensitive to the pressure. No burning or itching (again, beyond a little occasional itch from what I think is just dry skin). I still have not had any other pimples/blisters form. No fever (or if there is, it was so slight that I did not detect it as my temp has stayed between 97.2 and 98.7). Possibly a bit of an upset stomach and headache but…I get headaches so it’s hard to say that it was related and the stomach was very minor—really just slightly loose stool.
I did get tested for HIV (negative), Syphilis, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia (still awaiting results). But the STD clinic I went to does not offer testing for Herpes or other potential STDs and I will not be able to afford to get checked out at an urgent care for at least another week.
Again, I know you guys can’t give me a 100% diagnosis or anything but I would appreciate your input. Does this sound like a typical case of herpes? Some other STD? Or just a case of a pimple or hair follicle infection with bad timing?
Don't know if it's relevant, but I had another unprotected oral encounter about 10 days before the encounter I mention here. I suppose it's possible these were delayed symptoms from that encounter.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Wanted to get your opinions on the likelihood that I have been infected with genital herpes (or another STD). Now, obviously, none of you are going to be able to give me a firm diagnosis over the internet but as I probably won’t be able to see a dr regarding this for another week I would really appreciate your input as I’m freaking out a little.
So, 8 days ago (Sunday evening) I had unprotected receptive oral sex prior to having protected vaginal sex.
3 days later (Wednesday evening) I noticed a single, firm bump on the side of my penis after a shower. It seemed to form right under a hair. It appeared slightly moist but there was no pain unless I pressed down on it. I do not know if there was a blister or pimple there previously that I missed and potentially broke open during my shower, but if there was it was small enough I did not notice it beforehand and did not feel it burst.
By the next day a small scab had formed over the area. It was a little itchy (as scabs usually are) but not more than that and there continued to be no pain unless I pressed down on the bump. I did notice what I could best describe as some flaky skin around the bump, but I don’t know if that’s related as I have been dealing with dry skin issues generally (an on my penis specifically) and it could just be the tension from the raised skin causing the effect to be a little more noticeable.
2 days later (Saturday), again in the shower and even when trying to be careful, the scab fell off the area and revealed that the bump’s swelling seemed to have reduced slightly but that it was still a little moist as if it was not fully healed.
By today the bump seems to have dried and formed a head like a pimple. Still no pain unless I press on it, though as the pimple has swelled a little it is slightly more sensitive to the pressure. No burning or itching (again, beyond a little occasional itch from what I think is just dry skin). I still have not had any other pimples/blisters form. No fever (or if there is, it was so slight that I did not detect it as my temp has stayed between 97.2 and 98.7). Possibly a bit of an upset stomach and headache but…I get headaches so it’s hard to say that it was related and the stomach was very minor—really just slightly loose stool.
I did get tested for HIV (negative), Syphilis, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia (still awaiting results). But the STD clinic I went to does not offer testing for Herpes or other potential STDs and I will not be able to afford to get checked out at an urgent care for at least another week.
Again, I know you guys can’t give me a 100% diagnosis or anything but I would appreciate your input. Does this sound like a typical case of herpes? Some other STD? Or just a case of a pimple or hair follicle infection with bad timing?
Don't know if it's relevant, but I had another unprotected oral encounter about 10 days before the encounter I mention here. I suppose it's possible these were delayed symptoms from that encounter.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Hello,
Sometimes STDs don't show any symptoms at all, that's the reason why is good to test, and you did well testing if you did it after waiting for the correct quantity of days. As oral sex exposes you to Gonorrhea, syphilis and herpes, you should haves tested as follows :
-3 weeks after the encounter, for gonorrhea.
-6 weeks after the encounter, for syphilis.
-3 months after the encounter, for herpes.
You said you also tested for chlamydia. It is not really necessary, as chlamydia is not known to be transmitted through oral sex. If you tested for any other stds without expiring the window period first, it would be highly recommended to test again after expiring it.
Skin around the genital area is really sensitive, so those lesions you described could or couldn't be due to herpes. I recommend you to find a different clinic in which you can test for herpes.
All the best.
Sometimes STDs don't show any symptoms at all, that's the reason why is good to test, and you did well testing if you did it after waiting for the correct quantity of days. As oral sex exposes you to Gonorrhea, syphilis and herpes, you should haves tested as follows :
-3 weeks after the encounter, for gonorrhea.
-6 weeks after the encounter, for syphilis.
-3 months after the encounter, for herpes.
You said you also tested for chlamydia. It is not really necessary, as chlamydia is not known to be transmitted through oral sex. If you tested for any other stds without expiring the window period first, it would be highly recommended to test again after expiring it.
Skin around the genital area is really sensitive, so those lesions you described could or couldn't be due to herpes. I recommend you to find a different clinic in which you can test for herpes.
All the best.
2 Comments
Thanks for your reply.
I likely did NOT wait as long as I should have for testing, but that was kind of on purpose. I’m pretty sexually active with multiple partners (and while I always use condoms for penetration, I rarely do for oral). As such, I’m not really sure how recently I may have been exposed and figured it was a good idea to get a baseline test now and another in 30-90 days.
The results did come back for my Syphilis, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia tests, all negative. But like I said, at this point I’m not 100% sure if that is because I’m not infected or because it hasn’t been long enough for the blood (in the case of the syphilis) or urine (in the case of the Gonorrhea/Chlamidia) to show signs.
No STD clinics in my area offer free testing for herpes and I wont have the $210 for a pcr test until next week.
The technician I spoke to when doing the test said herpes was unlikely as most patients that present with symptoms have multiple, painful blisters and my single, larger, painless ulcer would be abnormal for herpes and more reminiscent of syphilis. In your experience, would you tend to agree with that assessment? I don’t expect you to be an expert but I’m still freaking out a little and would appreciate your input.
Thanks again.
I likely did NOT wait as long as I should have for testing, but that was kind of on purpose. I’m pretty sexually active with multiple partners (and while I always use condoms for penetration, I rarely do for oral). As such, I’m not really sure how recently I may have been exposed and figured it was a good idea to get a baseline test now and another in 30-90 days.
The results did come back for my Syphilis, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia tests, all negative. But like I said, at this point I’m not 100% sure if that is because I’m not infected or because it hasn’t been long enough for the blood (in the case of the syphilis) or urine (in the case of the Gonorrhea/Chlamidia) to show signs.
No STD clinics in my area offer free testing for herpes and I wont have the $210 for a pcr test until next week.
The technician I spoke to when doing the test said herpes was unlikely as most patients that present with symptoms have multiple, painful blisters and my single, larger, painless ulcer would be abnormal for herpes and more reminiscent of syphilis. In your experience, would you tend to agree with that assessment? I don’t expect you to be an expert but I’m still freaking out a little and would appreciate your input.
Thanks again.
Herpes is very unlikely honestly if I were you I would not waist your money to test
Transmission rates for hsv2 from female to male in couples that have unprotected sex twice a week is 4% you add a condom and that is reduced by 1/2. So for you too contract on a one time encounter it’s just not likely
Transmission rates for hsv2 from female to male in couples that have unprotected sex twice a week is 4% you add a condom and that is reduced by 1/2. So for you too contract on a one time encounter it’s just not likely
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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.
