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Constant Itching / herpes?
I am a 23 year old straight male in good physical shape. I am constantly doing physical activties, it is a big part of my life. Over a year ago, I went to costa rica. I was there for about a week, swimming and surfing constantly. I don't think I practiced good hygene. I used the same swimming trunks over and over if it makes a difference.
I slept with a prositute and had vaginal sex. She also performed oral sex on me with a condom on.
After that encounter, the very next day, I developed an itchy rash about two inches above my groin area. It rash itself did not blister over. There was never any puss or blistering, just a rash. The abdomen area itself aroud the penis was somewhat tender, though i am not sure if it was related.
When I arrived back to the states, I went to see a doctor. I was worried it was herpes. The doctor said it was not herpes and gave me a creme called "Mupirocin." The rash went away and has NEVER returned. However, there has been an itch in that area that has never gone away, even after after over a year has passed. The itch is directly along the base of the groin area, where the base of the penis and the abdomen skin meets. I'm not sure if the rash area is discolored or not, but sometimes it appears a very light red, sometimes normal.
2 months ago i went to see the same doctor. I showed him the area. He said it was not herpes, but probably a fungus. He prescribed me lotrisone, it did not work. He also told me this might not ever go away due to the fact that the groin area is constantly humid.
On occasion the abdomen area might be alittle tender.
I have not had sex in any way over a year since my encounter with with prostitute. I've been tested for chlamidia and gohnnera and i don't have either.
My concern area: is this a form of herpes. I've been interested in this girl for a while and don't want to give her anything. If its fungus is there a chance that might be spread to her?
I slept with a prositute and had vaginal sex. She also performed oral sex on me with a condom on.
After that encounter, the very next day, I developed an itchy rash about two inches above my groin area. It rash itself did not blister over. There was never any puss or blistering, just a rash. The abdomen area itself aroud the penis was somewhat tender, though i am not sure if it was related.
When I arrived back to the states, I went to see a doctor. I was worried it was herpes. The doctor said it was not herpes and gave me a creme called "Mupirocin." The rash went away and has NEVER returned. However, there has been an itch in that area that has never gone away, even after after over a year has passed. The itch is directly along the base of the groin area, where the base of the penis and the abdomen skin meets. I'm not sure if the rash area is discolored or not, but sometimes it appears a very light red, sometimes normal.
2 months ago i went to see the same doctor. I showed him the area. He said it was not herpes, but probably a fungus. He prescribed me lotrisone, it did not work. He also told me this might not ever go away due to the fact that the groin area is constantly humid.
On occasion the abdomen area might be alittle tender.
I have not had sex in any way over a year since my encounter with with prostitute. I've been tested for chlamidia and gohnnera and i don't have either.
My concern area: is this a form of herpes. I've been interested in this girl for a while and don't want to give her anything. If its fungus is there a chance that might be spread to her?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No.
End of thread.
End of thread.
Sorry heres a follow up question: should i be concerned that the area above my penis and to the left (maybe a gland) is sore from time to time? is that a sign of an std?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Thank you so much, it makes me feel better. I've been tested for gonnorrhea and chalmydia and syphilis, got tested as soon as i got back to the us. Ive been busy with my career and had not sex since that experience in costa rica. My primary doctor said pretty much what you said, and i feel a lot better.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'll try to help. The bottom line is that you provide very strong evidence against herpes.
First, you cannot get herpes symptoms only a day after catching it. 2-3 days is the minimum and usually it's 4-10 days. Second, genital herpes rarely starts in areas with hair, such as the pubic area -- but superficial skin infecions usually do. Third, the use of mupirocin indicates that your doc diagnosed just such a bacterial skin infection -- and that's not a condition that a health care provider is likely to confuse with herpes anyway. Finally, you describe a situation that is classical for triggering just such a bacterial skin infection: continuous moisture and warmth.
I cannot judge whether the persistent (or recurrent) rash a couple months later was the same thing or, as diagnosed, a fungal infection. But that too would not be confused with herpes by any reasonably experienced health professional.
In summary, from your story, I see no evidence of herpes nor any risk to your potential new sex partner. That said, you have had casual, high-risk sex -- and presumably might have had similar exposures in past months or years. In that situation, getting tested for asymptomatic STDs makes sense before starting a new sexual relationship. Certainly your partner is likely to be impressed that you cared enough to do it. For sure consider urine testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia and blood tests for syphilis and HIV. And you could also have a blood test for herpes, to be that much more certain you didn't pick up genital HSV-2 somewhere along the line. (But if that turns up positive, it still will not be from your Costa Rica adventures.)
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
First, you cannot get herpes symptoms only a day after catching it. 2-3 days is the minimum and usually it's 4-10 days. Second, genital herpes rarely starts in areas with hair, such as the pubic area -- but superficial skin infecions usually do. Third, the use of mupirocin indicates that your doc diagnosed just such a bacterial skin infection -- and that's not a condition that a health care provider is likely to confuse with herpes anyway. Finally, you describe a situation that is classical for triggering just such a bacterial skin infection: continuous moisture and warmth.
I cannot judge whether the persistent (or recurrent) rash a couple months later was the same thing or, as diagnosed, a fungal infection. But that too would not be confused with herpes by any reasonably experienced health professional.
In summary, from your story, I see no evidence of herpes nor any risk to your potential new sex partner. That said, you have had casual, high-risk sex -- and presumably might have had similar exposures in past months or years. In that situation, getting tested for asymptomatic STDs makes sense before starting a new sexual relationship. Certainly your partner is likely to be impressed that you cared enough to do it. For sure consider urine testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia and blood tests for syphilis and HIV. And you could also have a blood test for herpes, to be that much more certain you didn't pick up genital HSV-2 somewhere along the line. (But if that turns up positive, it still will not be from your Costa Rica adventures.)
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
