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Desperate 4 Answers
I am a married 39 year old father of three children. In mid-August I did a terrible thing and had a one time unprotected sexual encounter with a 25 year old business associate. While in college, I had about 12 such one time unprotected encounters. I am sure I have been my wife's only partner. My timeline:
Day 9- Nervous about STD's and went to health department for testing (not herpes). STD Expert examined my penis for abnormalities and found none.
Day10-13: Developed a sore throat with mild ear pain.
Day 14: Noticed a patch of moist dead skin beneath head of penis on shaft. It rubbed off and the area became itchy and raw. The area where the shaft meets the head also was particularly irritated and the rim was warm and sore to the touch. I began applying baby powder to sooth the area. I also developed pimples on both butt cheeks that lasted several days. I suspected herpes and called the girl I had been with. She went and was tested and came back negative.
Day 19 or 20: I noticed 3-4 very small light crusted ,kind of circular areas on the shaft. I only noticed them because the baby powder highlighted them. They lasted at the most two days and then flaked away. They were somewhat itchy though. I called the STD expert and he said that he told me he thought that it was probably a yeast infection and all of the herpes cases he see involve obvious ulcerated sores that don't heal in less than a week.
This area remained irritated for two more weeks. I am now scared that I may have herpes as this would devastate my family.
1) Does this sound like a herpes outbreak to you?
2) What are the possibilities the girl I was with had recently caught it from her bf and then I caught it even though they both were negative?
3) Could this have been my first outbreak of a long standing asymptomatic infection?
I would greatly appreciate your assessment and advice.
Day 9- Nervous about STD's and went to health department for testing (not herpes). STD Expert examined my penis for abnormalities and found none.
Day10-13: Developed a sore throat with mild ear pain.
Day 14: Noticed a patch of moist dead skin beneath head of penis on shaft. It rubbed off and the area became itchy and raw. The area where the shaft meets the head also was particularly irritated and the rim was warm and sore to the touch. I began applying baby powder to sooth the area. I also developed pimples on both butt cheeks that lasted several days. I suspected herpes and called the girl I had been with. She went and was tested and came back negative.
Day 19 or 20: I noticed 3-4 very small light crusted ,kind of circular areas on the shaft. I only noticed them because the baby powder highlighted them. They lasted at the most two days and then flaked away. They were somewhat itchy though. I called the STD expert and he said that he told me he thought that it was probably a yeast infection and all of the herpes cases he see involve obvious ulcerated sores that don't heal in less than a week.
This area remained irritated for two more weeks. I am now scared that I may have herpes as this would devastate my family.
1) Does this sound like a herpes outbreak to you?
2) What are the possibilities the girl I was with had recently caught it from her bf and then I caught it even though they both were negative?
3) Could this have been my first outbreak of a long standing asymptomatic infection?
I would greatly appreciate your assessment and advice.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
By definition, the initial herpes infection occurs within 2-3 weeks (usually 3-10 days) of catching the virus. A person can have an asymptomatic initial infection, with first *recognized* outbreaks months or years later. But rarely 18 years. Equally important, you can dismiss every symptom you describe. None of suggests herpes.
I never guarantee someone isn't infected. But based on the symptoms you describe and the overall story, I see no risk whatsoever to sex with your wife.
As I suggested, the way to know the cause of your penile rash is to see a health care provider. There in no point in trying to learn more by online searching or by this or any other health care forum; it won't get you anywhere. When you see a provider, if you remain fearful about herpes, you could have a blood test for HSV-2 antibody. Truly I believe this is unnecessary, but you could discuss it with your provider.
That will have to end this thread. Please accept the reassurance and move on.
I never guarantee someone isn't infected. But based on the symptoms you describe and the overall story, I see no risk whatsoever to sex with your wife.
As I suggested, the way to know the cause of your penile rash is to see a health care provider. There in no point in trying to learn more by online searching or by this or any other health care forum; it won't get you anywhere. When you see a provider, if you remain fearful about herpes, you could have a blood test for HSV-2 antibody. Truly I believe this is unnecessary, but you could discuss it with your provider.
That will have to end this thread. Please accept the reassurance and move on.
Thanks so much for your assessment. I have been very depressed about the ramifications of herpes and have learned my lesson. You mentioned that there is no way this is a recurrent outbreak. Do you think it could it be an initial outbreak from a 18-20+ year asymptomatic infection from my past risky adventures, or recently acquired from my recent partner who has more recently been infected and has not had time to test positive? I can dismiss the sore throat and pimple-like rash on both butt cheeks; however, the small crusted areas (light scabs?) distresses me greatly. I think they could have resulted from tiny water blisters I didn't notice??? They did flake off after a couple of days and were slightly itchy. Is it plausible that this was a penile yeast infection contracted from this recent encounter? Biggest question: Is it safe to have sex with my wife in your professional opinion?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your description doesn't at all suggest genital herpes, which simply doesn't behave the way you describe for your penile rash, nor does your description of the appearnce sound like herpes. I also agree with the reasoning and conclusion of your STD clinic provider; herpes doesn't behave this way and doesn't last so long. I doubt this has anything to do with your casual sexual encounter 2 months ago (in contrast to the advice you had on the STD community forum, where someone speculated about yeast you might have caught from your partner). Genital location and timing with a new sex partner do not necessarily mean an STD. Any of the innumerable skin conditions that can cause rash anywhere on the body sometimes affect the penis. And no, there is no chance this is recurrence of previous herpes.
I gather the appearance of your penis changed since you visited the STD clinic, since your follow-up with the STD provider apparently was by telephone. You need to be reexamined in person, either by returning to the STD clinic. Or see your primary care provider or a dermatologist. In the meantime, you can be very confident this problem is not herpes or any other STD, and that it probably has nothing to do with your new sexual encounter.
I hope this helps. Best wishes--- HHH, MD
I gather the appearance of your penis changed since you visited the STD clinic, since your follow-up with the STD provider apparently was by telephone. You need to be reexamined in person, either by returning to the STD clinic. Or see your primary care provider or a dermatologist. In the meantime, you can be very confident this problem is not herpes or any other STD, and that it probably has nothing to do with your new sexual encounter.
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.
