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Herpes Confusion
Anyways, to give you a brief history, 3 years ago before my girlfriend and I first started getting intimate, I tested myself for everything possible at a local planned parenthood. I came up negative for everything. My girlfriend and I broke up for a month and a half, I had unprotected sex with a co-worker on 3 different occasions. I discovered a very slight discharge from my penis a month after last incident with co-worker. I tested for chylamedia/gonnoreah twice (both times negative), had a planned parenthood clinician look at discharge under microscope for Tric (negative), then was told I may have non gonnocal urithirtis and was given a antibiotic (azit.).The antibiotic cured the issue and after talking to two different planned parenthoods, the cause was simply being dehydrated and drinking too much.
Because of this minor scare, I tested for everything else possible. Blood tests for syphillis, HIV and herpes simplex 2(13 weeks after last sexual incident with co-worker), hepatitis C, and a visual inspection of my groin for this one skin tag.
Here are questions:
1. Non-gonn non-sexual?
1. My girlfriend has beaten off stomach cancer a couple times through radiation therapy? Should I feel guilty about giving her HPV, or is HPV truly so common that there's no telling how she got it?
2. Clinician said she was about 90 percent certain that thing on my groin was skin tag. Can I be certain?
3. Same clinician gave me blood test just for herpes simplex 2 and not simplex 1 after 13 weeks of exposure. Herpes 2 was negative. Did I wait long enough to test? She said I was immune to 1 and I stupidly took her word for it. Is it a big deal that I didn't test for herpes 1? Doesn't almost everyone have herpes 1?
4. Most important question. Assuming I only have safe sex with my std free girfriend rest of life, can I be confident that I don't have genital herpes? What are the odds of me having genital herpes with a negative herpes 2 test result?
Because of this minor scare, I tested for everything else possible. Blood tests for syphillis, HIV and herpes simplex 2(13 weeks after last sexual incident with co-worker), hepatitis C, and a visual inspection of my groin for this one skin tag.
Here are questions:
1. Non-gonn non-sexual?
1. My girlfriend has beaten off stomach cancer a couple times through radiation therapy? Should I feel guilty about giving her HPV, or is HPV truly so common that there's no telling how she got it?
2. Clinician said she was about 90 percent certain that thing on my groin was skin tag. Can I be certain?
3. Same clinician gave me blood test just for herpes simplex 2 and not simplex 1 after 13 weeks of exposure. Herpes 2 was negative. Did I wait long enough to test? She said I was immune to 1 and I stupidly took her word for it. Is it a big deal that I didn't test for herpes 1? Doesn't almost everyone have herpes 1?
4. Most important question. Assuming I only have safe sex with my std free girfriend rest of life, can I be confident that I don't have genital herpes? What are the odds of me having genital herpes with a negative herpes 2 test result?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
HSV-1 and HSV-2 are different viruses. HSV-1 usually infects the mouth (cold sores) but sometimes causes genital herpes. HSV-2 also can infect both areas, but oral infections are rare. If your childhood oral sores were cold sores, almost certainly they were due to HSV-1. As I said in my reply above, that would make you immune to new HSV-1 infection anywhere on your body, including the penis. That probably is why your PP provider didn't think that was anything to worry about and I agree.
Your PP clinician and "a couple of sites" (which I'll bet are not run by professional organizations and are not professionally moderated) and are simply wrong about dehydration and spicy foods as causes of NGU. Such theories predated modern medical science and were disproved 2-3 decades ago. In the scientific/medical community, and especially among STD experts, there is no debate about the causes of NGU.
Your PP clinician and "a couple of sites" (which I'll bet are not run by professional organizations and are not professionally moderated) and are simply wrong about dehydration and spicy foods as causes of NGU. Such theories predated modern medical science and were disproved 2-3 decades ago. In the scientific/medical community, and especially among STD experts, there is no debate about the causes of NGU.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You were given proper care by Planned Parenthood, and azithromycin indeed is the correct treatment (one of two options). However, you also were given some misinformation, or you misunderstood what you were told.
Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) is an STD, indeed the most common STD in men. There are few if any exceptions to sexual transmission. Being dehydrated or "drinking too much" (either alcohol or other fluids, whichever you mean) cannot cause urethral discharge. About one third of NGU cases are due to chlamydia. The rest are due to other sexually transmitted bacteria, most of which cannot be tested for in routine clinic settings; and in many cases, the exact cause is unknown.
Therefore, you can be sure you acquired the infection from one of your 3 recent partners -- any of them you had sex with in the 4 weeks before you noted the discharge could be the source. You need to inform those women, one or more of whom needs treatment to protect her health and prevent transmission to other sex partners.
To your questions:
1) See above.
2) I cannot comment on something I can't see. But the PP clinician undoubtedly has examined hundreds of people's genitals and many skin tags, warts, etc. I suspect you can rely on her diagnosis. Further, the only STD that could be confused with skin tags is genital warts -- but warts rarely occur in the groin. If you remain concerned or in doubt, get a second opinion, such as a dermatologist.
3) If you have had oral herpes (cold sores, fever blisters), it is indeed almost certain you are immune to a new HSV-1 infection. Otherwise, there is no way to know whether you are immune to HSV-1 if you weren't tested for it. But it wasn't "stupid" to take her word about it. More important, you can be 100% sure you don't have HSV-2; 13 weeks is plenty of time. And that's the important virus. I wouldn't worry about HSV-1; half the population has it and I don't see that it matters whether or not you are one of them.
4) You can't catch something sexually that a partner doesn't have. There is no realistic chance you have HSV-2 with a negative blood test. Don't worry about it.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) is an STD, indeed the most common STD in men. There are few if any exceptions to sexual transmission. Being dehydrated or "drinking too much" (either alcohol or other fluids, whichever you mean) cannot cause urethral discharge. About one third of NGU cases are due to chlamydia. The rest are due to other sexually transmitted bacteria, most of which cannot be tested for in routine clinic settings; and in many cases, the exact cause is unknown.
Therefore, you can be sure you acquired the infection from one of your 3 recent partners -- any of them you had sex with in the 4 weeks before you noted the discharge could be the source. You need to inform those women, one or more of whom needs treatment to protect her health and prevent transmission to other sex partners.
To your questions:
1) See above.
2) I cannot comment on something I can't see. But the PP clinician undoubtedly has examined hundreds of people's genitals and many skin tags, warts, etc. I suspect you can rely on her diagnosis. Further, the only STD that could be confused with skin tags is genital warts -- but warts rarely occur in the groin. If you remain concerned or in doubt, get a second opinion, such as a dermatologist.
3) If you have had oral herpes (cold sores, fever blisters), it is indeed almost certain you are immune to a new HSV-1 infection. Otherwise, there is no way to know whether you are immune to HSV-1 if you weren't tested for it. But it wasn't "stupid" to take her word about it. More important, you can be 100% sure you don't have HSV-2; 13 weeks is plenty of time. And that's the important virus. I wouldn't worry about HSV-1; half the population has it and I don't see that it matters whether or not you are one of them.
4) You can't catch something sexually that a partner doesn't have. There is no realistic chance you have HSV-2 with a negative blood test. Don't worry about it.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your own provider is the appropriate source of further information. It is not certain whether your gf is at risk or potentially exposed to anything, but the safest approach is to assure that your gf also gets treated. Since you and she have had sex in the meantime, it might be a good idea for you to be re-treated at the same time. There is no way to know for sure whether this is necessary, but better safe than sorry.
This truly is the last comment on this thread. I will delete any further comments.
This truly is the last comment on this thread. I will delete any further comments.
Sorry forgot to ask. Since NGU typically doesn't have symptoms, since I haven't had any symptoms since my single dose of azit and my gf have had sex, if I haven't had a discharge should I feel confident? Can someone have a symptom and then get ngu back from his gf and not have a symptom?
I know you said this discussion is over but it's not about the information I find or how much you know. I know that you are very knowledgeable, nobody is questioning that. I am concerned about my girlfriend and that's all that matters. I don't want to jeopardize my gfs health because of my mistake. I didn't have multiple partners for your information, just my gf of 3 yrs and the co-worker on 3 isolated incidents while my gf and I were broken up. If you automatically erase my post, I think it undermines everything you are trying to accomplish on your forums. Swallow your pride for a second and give me some thoughtful advice. It's clear that you think my condition was sexually related, so let me know how I can make things safe for my gf and I. I love my gf and am not trying to put her health at risk. I have been treated with azit successfully, I agree, but I have had sex with my gf with a condom (which broke) and received oral while I still had ngu or nsu and am wondering how she can be treated for nsu without even having symptoms. I know that there's a ping pong effect. I JUST WANT HER AND I TO BE CLEAR OF NGU. HOW DO WE DO THIS? I AM NOT TRYING TO OFFEND YOU. I APPRECIATE YOUR ADVICE.
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
NSU is just another name for NGU. I stand by my previous replies. And I think I am pretty safe in stacking up my knowledge about these issues compared with your Planned Parenthood clinicians.
There are probably exceptions to sexual transmission as a cause of NGU, but they are uncommon. It is a real stretch to implicate those things in a man with multiple sex partners. You can find anything you want on line, if you look hard enough, but no credible scientific evidence exists to suggest dehydration, alcohol, etc as causes. And friction? Ridiculous. I did not say you needed additional diagnostic tests or treatment. Your NGU was successfully treated.
You may not keep coming back every time you find information that conflicts with my advice. I will have no further comments and will deleate any further discussion witout reply. This thread is over.
There are probably exceptions to sexual transmission as a cause of NGU, but they are uncommon. It is a real stretch to implicate those things in a man with multiple sex partners. You can find anything you want on line, if you look hard enough, but no credible scientific evidence exists to suggest dehydration, alcohol, etc as causes. And friction? Ridiculous. I did not say you needed additional diagnostic tests or treatment. Your NGU was successfully treated.
You may not keep coming back every time you find information that conflicts with my advice. I will have no further comments and will deleate any further discussion witout reply. This thread is over.
Sorry for bugging you, but this issue is so confusing. Both pp clinicians didn't have an answer for me, it's like my brief condition slipped through the cracks. It could be non specific urithritis, which is what I meant to point out. NSU is apparently different from NGU? Anyways, multiple credible sites ( example listed below) have said that it's rare but excessive alcohol intake can be a cause. I drink 10 to 12 alcoholic beverages every night. Plus, my clinician told me that the azit. was for my symptom (not a std) and that she didn't know what it could be from and that I should see a urologist if I was still concerned. Two different p parenthoods seemed to write off my situation (one saying that dehydration may have caused). My extreme alcohol intake combined with negative tests on multiple occasions of gonn. and chyl. and tric analysis has led me to believe that maybe I had NSU.
If you still think it was sexually transmitted and that my girlfriend's health is in jeopardy, then what do you suggest? I couldn't get azit for my girlfriend or myself because we aren't showing any symptoms and there's no discharge or fluid for them to analyze. If I have to get treated and tested, how do you recommend I go about it. Planned parenthood won't do anything for me. Should I go about my life and rely on my gf's regular doctor visits? It's just tough when I can't afford any more tests or a urology visit. I've pretty much worn out my welcome at my local pp, I'm showing no symptoms, negative results for all other stds (possible to test at pp) are in front of my face, and I have this last little base to cover. This is my last post, thank you so much for your expert advice. A lot of people punish themselves enough for their stupid decisions in life, it's nice to get a response from someone knowledgeable that can put things into perspective and not beat us down when we are vulnerable and thirsty for accurate information. Thanks again!
Inflammation of the Urethra
From About.com
Updated: December 27, 2006
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD
In most cases it is a sexually transmitted disease that is passed on from an infected person during anal, oral or vaginal sex.The incubation period is highly variable but is thought to be between one week and one month. Very rarely non-specific urethritis can be caused by excessive friction during masturbation or sexual intercourse or an allergic reaction to soap or detergents or even excessive alcohol intake.
If you still think it was sexually transmitted and that my girlfriend's health is in jeopardy, then what do you suggest? I couldn't get azit for my girlfriend or myself because we aren't showing any symptoms and there's no discharge or fluid for them to analyze. If I have to get treated and tested, how do you recommend I go about it. Planned parenthood won't do anything for me. Should I go about my life and rely on my gf's regular doctor visits? It's just tough when I can't afford any more tests or a urology visit. I've pretty much worn out my welcome at my local pp, I'm showing no symptoms, negative results for all other stds (possible to test at pp) are in front of my face, and I have this last little base to cover. This is my last post, thank you so much for your expert advice. A lot of people punish themselves enough for their stupid decisions in life, it's nice to get a response from someone knowledgeable that can put things into perspective and not beat us down when we are vulnerable and thirsty for accurate information. Thanks again!
Inflammation of the Urethra
From About.com
Updated: December 27, 2006
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD
In most cases it is a sexually transmitted disease that is passed on from an infected person during anal, oral or vaginal sex.The incubation period is highly variable but is thought to be between one week and one month. Very rarely non-specific urethritis can be caused by excessive friction during masturbation or sexual intercourse or an allergic reaction to soap or detergents or even excessive alcohol intake.
Sorry! Forgot to ask. Is it safe to say that by having cold sores as a kid, it's certain that I have HSV 1?
Thank you very much for your timely response, it means a lot. I just had a couple more quick questions. Is it still possible that I may have received genital herpes even though I had a couple cold sores as a kid and tested negative for HSV 2? Many sites have told me that genital herpes can transmit through HSV 2 or HSV 1.
Also, a couple of sites have said that non specific non gonn. urithiritis can come from spicy foods or dehydration. Plus, a planned parenthood clinician explicitly told me that I could have gotten it from being dehydrated. I'm still just a little confused. Thanks Dr. Hansfield, I really do appreciate your help. Planned parenthood just doesn't put my mind at ease, since they always seem to be in a hurry to get to the next patient.
Also, a couple of sites have said that non specific non gonn. urithiritis can come from spicy foods or dehydration. Plus, a planned parenthood clinician explicitly told me that I could have gotten it from being dehydrated. I'm still just a little confused. Thanks Dr. Hansfield, I really do appreciate your help. Planned parenthood just doesn't put my mind at ease, since they always seem to be in a hurry to get to the next patient.
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.
