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UTI? STD? Infection? Please help.
I am a heathly 29 year old heterosexual male. I have had unpotected sex with 7 partners (in 5 months). I was tested (urine) about 6-7 weeks ago at my local clinic and a full urine/blood/tonsil swab a week and a half ago. Everything negative. However, they were unable to test specifically for HSV 2. She said the test could show positive regardless of type as I have been exposed to oral HSV 1. I have had unprotected sex again since with 2 different partners. Just 4 or 5 days ago I noticed some pain on/near the head of my penis followed by some general irritation. It felt almost like a rash and left me with some small bumps on the left side of where my foreskin would have been but not below that line and a couple pea sized red skin discolorations/blotchs on the head of my penis. I thought it may be an infection from my regular partner as all of the area that is affected is there area that would be folded over or covered up with a fully dormant (non erect) penis as I don't normally wash after sexual intercourse and any bacteria etc would remain trapped in that region of folded over skin. I thought maybe it was a yeast infection and applied some monistat cream to the affected area last night. The head of my penis still burns a small amount and I pee a little more frequently with some mild burning on occasion but nothing major. Also, there has been some skin peeling in the area below the head of my penis. This morning, briefly (maybe 10 seconds) I had a tingle in my scrotum, like the skin around my testicles tingled feeling like it was the hair follicules. It has not happened since (4 hours ago). Overall it seems as though the bumps I was experiencing have gotten better as have the peeling and blotches. These bumps never turned into blisters or open sores / ulcers by my account and never seeped or popped and were quite small. Obviously I am concerend about HSV 2 but I am concerened about everything in general as this is all new to me. Please help. Thanks in advance!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
You obviously have been at some risk for STDs, given your lifestyle, and it was smart to visit a clinic for STD evaluation; glad to hear everything was negative.
Your penile/genital symptoms do not sound like herpes. When HSV causes symptoms at all, generally there are blisters that become open sores -- not just a little redness, irritation, or discolored blotches. Your self-diagnosis of irritation related to genital hygiene -- e.g. not washing after sex -- makes more sense for these symptoms. If you are uncircumcised, you might have nonspecific balanitis (that's the medical term for inflammation of the penis head and under the foreskin); or a yeast infection -- which although not an STD, can be acquired from female partners with vaginal yeast. The various tingling sensations also are not consistent with an initial herpes infection. UTI is also very unlikely; UTIs are very rare in healthy younger men.
If your symptoms continue or you remain concerned, return to the clinic to be rechecked. If an STD-experienced clinician agrees there is nothing that looks like herpes, you can rely on it. And if concerns persist, you could have an HSV blood test after a few weeks. (The advice you had about blood testing is wrong. The standard HSV blood tests accurately distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2.)
In the meantime, I really wouldn't worry about herpes. If I were in your situation I would ccontinue unprotected sex with my wife, with no fear of infecting her with anything.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You obviously have been at some risk for STDs, given your lifestyle, and it was smart to visit a clinic for STD evaluation; glad to hear everything was negative.
Your penile/genital symptoms do not sound like herpes. When HSV causes symptoms at all, generally there are blisters that become open sores -- not just a little redness, irritation, or discolored blotches. Your self-diagnosis of irritation related to genital hygiene -- e.g. not washing after sex -- makes more sense for these symptoms. If you are uncircumcised, you might have nonspecific balanitis (that's the medical term for inflammation of the penis head and under the foreskin); or a yeast infection -- which although not an STD, can be acquired from female partners with vaginal yeast. The various tingling sensations also are not consistent with an initial herpes infection. UTI is also very unlikely; UTIs are very rare in healthy younger men.
If your symptoms continue or you remain concerned, return to the clinic to be rechecked. If an STD-experienced clinician agrees there is nothing that looks like herpes, you can rely on it. And if concerns persist, you could have an HSV blood test after a few weeks. (The advice you had about blood testing is wrong. The standard HSV blood tests accurately distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2.)
In the meantime, I really wouldn't worry about herpes. If I were in your situation I would ccontinue unprotected sex with my wife, with no fear of infecting her with anything.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
These symptoms don't sound like genital herpes. And there are no lymph nodes under the skin in the locations mentioned. Some of what you describe sounds like your anxieties are just making you focus on genital area sensations that you would not otherwise notice. If they continue, get professional advice about them. But herpes does not sound like a realistic concern.
That will end this thread. I won't have any furhter comments or advice.
That will end this thread. I won't have any furhter comments or advice.
...the sore, swollen, what I think was lymph nodes, lasted for a few days and went away completely..
Here I am again, concerned about Herpes 2. Everything seemed to clear up and be fine since my last post. I have been getting random tingling in my testicle/scrotum area only and I recently developed a pea size or smaller spot on my scrotum, well, between the shaft of my penis and my testicles. Almost in the same spot I had had the ONE spot previously. It doesn't look like much of a sore or a blister but if I play with the area it can feel like a pinching pain. Those are the only two symptoms I am feeling. Random tingling and that one red spot the feels like it's being "pinched." It doesn't hurt/burn to pee and I have no itching at all. About 2-3 weeks ago after having had a few drinks and sexual intercourse I had swollen and sore lymph nodes (2) on both sides of my upper groin area above the penis and below my belly button. Once again I am very scared that I have contracted the virus.. Can you fine doctors please share your opinions on this matter? Many thanks in advance.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Improvement with monistat may suggest it was a yeast infection, but I can't speculate further on the cause. For sure no STD is likely, but you could have had any of a number of other genital area rashes, dermatitis, etc. As long as it clears up and stays away, I wouldn't worry about it.
Thanks for your response. It seems to have gotten significantly better today. There has been no tingling, the small bumps are completely gone, no peeling/dry skin and almost all redness is gone minus the slightly discolored spots on the head of my penis which have also improved. The irratation is also significantly better minus a little from simply rubbing a bit inside my pants without underwear...for breathability. Not sure if it was going to just pass on its own? Having been an infection? Or if maybe the Monistat I had applied a couple times actually did something...I am happy with the current progress though. Any more thoughts? Thanks again!
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.
