Confusing symptoms

[Roan1972]

Hello,
43 year old male, no prior STD. In good health overall with a long history of being safe with sex.

7 days ago I had what amounted to single, vaginal and oral, sexual encounter with a female whom I'd met a day before. We used condoms, and both communicated that we each had no std's. However, a condom tore, and about half of this encounter was unsafe.

36 hours later I had general mild burning and redness on the entire scrotum. Some occasional groin area itching, some very mild fatigue. Some mild, intermittent discomfort mainly at tip of penis which remains. To this point I've noticed no "lesions" or any rash to speak of, or discharge. I bought some Monistat 7 yesterday and the mild burning and redness around the scrotum was relieved somewhat, but it is still there.

I suspect I could have contracted a yeast or bacterial infection from this woman, or herpes. For the last 2 days I've been on what amounts to a "candida diet" (no alcohol, caffeine, starches, etc...,). The last two days I've had an occasional mild fever (mostly at night), general malaise, and some headaches; the fever being what has concerned me most.

If this is a bacterial or yeast infection, I'd like see a doctor asap, but if perhaps something else, I'm not sure what do about it right now, given the recent occurrence and no lesions or bumps, etc..

1. Is my situation suggestive of herpes or some other std such as chlamydia?
2. Is the likelihood of herpes low or high, given these parameters and the fact it was a single encounter?
3. Might this be a bacterial infection?
4. Are yeast infections in men frequently mistook for herpes?
5. When is the soonest I can get checked out for std's with accuracy?
6. If potentially bacterial, are there antibiotics which might also cure Chlamdydia if it is present?

Thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Thanks for the follow-up. I'm pleased to hear of the outcome.  Take care. EWH

[Roan1972]

In the hopes this information may be helpful to all who might follow this thread, I can offer the following update:

Over the weekend I was prescribed Diflucan for possible fungal/yeast condition. I experienced a very significant reduction in symptoms within 24 hours and continue to feel better. I was also offered a prescription of antibiotics, which I declined after the helpful advice here.

My urine was also sent off to a lab for sti tests, however, if negative I still plan to get routine testing done in several weeks to ensure more accurate results.

Thanks

[Roan1972]

Thanks for your time and careful advice. Much appreciated.

I will wait a few more days and seek testing, perhaps for a yeast issue if symptoms persist, or if symptoms change.

I have one follow-up question. If a mild, occasional fever persists in additional to slight pain at tip of penis, could this be potentially suggestive of a bacterial issue, or perhaps a response to yeast in the blood stream? I suppose the very mild fever is the unsettling thing, although I commonly have them when associated with allergy and sinus issues. Perhaps my immune also is working with the allergy season.
Thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum and thanks for the description of the symptoms and their timing.  I agree with your preliminary assessment- the rash on your scrotum does sound like a fungal infection, perhaps from your partner or perhaps just coincidentally (we do not typically think of fungal infections as being passed from person to person- they tend to arrise from small amounts of yeast that are present on most people's skin).  Another possiblity for your symptoms is a reaction to any lubricant, cream or lotion that got on your scrotum during sex.  Scrotal rashes are not a typical sign of STI.  This does not sound like herpes.

In answer to your specific questions:
1. Is my situation suggestive of herpes or some other std such as chlamydia?
See above.  Any of these problems can be asymptomatic but your symptoms are not suggestive of any STI.

2. Is the likelihood of herpes low or high, given these parameters and the fact it was a single encounter?
Quite low.

3. Might this be a bacterial infection?
Again, see above.  Eitehr a fungal iinfection or local reaction is the best bet..

4. Are yeast infections in men frequently mistook for herpes?
This can happen occasionally but not often.

5. When is the soonest I can get checked out for std's with accuracy?
You have symptoms and they can evaluated at this time. Further, routine testing for STIs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, NGU) can be done at this time as well.  If you seek evaluation, I would not favor accepting tretment offered "just in case" as if this is yeast it could make the yeast worse.  

6. If potentially bacterial, are there antibiotics which might also cure Chlamdydia if it is present?
See my comment above.  Antibiotics at this time would just cloud things.

I hope these comments are helpful. EWH