Aa
STD symptom or abrasion
Dear Drs.
Back in the early July I had an exposure with a Hispanic massage girl. There was unprotected oral sex and I rubbed my penis on her wet vagina. I asked her afterward if I penetrated her and she said no, although, I think it was no as well but a little worried it went a little too far, and it wasn't my intention to have vaginal sex. I checked for chlamydia and gonorrhea post event all negative.
No symptoms until last week when having had only oral exposure with another masseuse on 7/21 and 8/25, I developed a rash with apparent lesions that bled at the time. The area looked quite abraded and bruised. The area was between the foreskin and the upper glans on the top and side. Last week the oral was followed by some rough handling. Assuming it was an abrasion I used hydro-cortisone and this cleared up the area on the side but the top is still looking healed as such but is still a bit red angry and abraded. I might have irritated it with subsequent masturbation. (Sorry if graphic I'm trying to be complete.)
Could my old penis rubbing exposures be presenting lesions (HSV or syphilis) 8 weeks later? Oral sex risk? Does the timing make sense? My understanding is oral sex is relatively safe. And there is some risk for lesion diseases (what are the relative probabilities if known please?. No pus like symptoms have ever appeared.
Thank you for understanding my dilemma. Any light you could shed on this would be helpful.
Back in the early July I had an exposure with a Hispanic massage girl. There was unprotected oral sex and I rubbed my penis on her wet vagina. I asked her afterward if I penetrated her and she said no, although, I think it was no as well but a little worried it went a little too far, and it wasn't my intention to have vaginal sex. I checked for chlamydia and gonorrhea post event all negative.
No symptoms until last week when having had only oral exposure with another masseuse on 7/21 and 8/25, I developed a rash with apparent lesions that bled at the time. The area looked quite abraded and bruised. The area was between the foreskin and the upper glans on the top and side. Last week the oral was followed by some rough handling. Assuming it was an abrasion I used hydro-cortisone and this cleared up the area on the side but the top is still looking healed as such but is still a bit red angry and abraded. I might have irritated it with subsequent masturbation. (Sorry if graphic I'm trying to be complete.)
Could my old penis rubbing exposures be presenting lesions (HSV or syphilis) 8 weeks later? Oral sex risk? Does the timing make sense? My understanding is oral sex is relatively safe. And there is some risk for lesion diseases (what are the relative probabilities if known please?. No pus like symptoms have ever appeared.
Thank you for understanding my dilemma. Any light you could shed on this would be helpful.
A related discussion, Results for HHH was started.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You are WAY overthinking this. If you would like to report your blood test result, feel free. Until then I'm not going to help you speculate when a definitive answer is so easily available.
Dear Dr. HHH
The tests for hiv, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia all came back negative! Big sigh of relief.
I wanted to assess my own risk for having acquired HSV-2 based on reading the forum extensively. Only the test will tell. I didn't test for it then since abrasion seemed more likely, but, I read that outbreaks are often mistaken for abrasion. So I'm still worried and trying to do the right thing.
I went back to 2007 and counted the times (I documented the events with a dot in my running log) I saw a CSW: 40 times. Everything was protected or never involved oral or vaginal sex until 2010. At that time I met CSW "A" whom I mostly saw. I would say I have had no more than unprotected 3 to 4 vaginal sex episodes with her and numerous times (5 or 6) rubbing the head of my penis on her wet vagina. Always oral sex of course.
Then I had brief, and shallow sex with CSWs P, M, and D. With D she said I didn't penetrate.
So to be conservative, lets say I had 20 vaginal sex events since about 2010.
Then the forum says the average risk is 0.001 per event. Twenty times means my risk is 0.02 or 1 out of 50. High but the odds are in my favor.
But say for 10% of the time unknown lesions were present, then 0.1*20 = 2 times I was exposed to this at 0.01 per event means my risk was .02. Then the other events add as 18*.001 = 0.018.
Taken together my total risk might be 0.02 + 0.018 = 0.038 = 3.8% or 1 out of 26. The odds are still in my favor but still with a 96.2% chance I didn't acquire HSV-2. The national average gives a 75% chance one hasn't acquired HSV-2.
But I am concerned about the one-off event that one of these CSW just recently acquired HSV-2 and was more infectious than the probabilities I quoted. The risk is higher, correct?
I hope you find find my reasoning sound, and no need to reply unless you want to at this time.
But this is why I am testing as you suggested for HSV-2. I just tested yesterday and will report in a week or two on the results. IgG as you said.
Best regards,
WIT
The tests for hiv, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia all came back negative! Big sigh of relief.
I wanted to assess my own risk for having acquired HSV-2 based on reading the forum extensively. Only the test will tell. I didn't test for it then since abrasion seemed more likely, but, I read that outbreaks are often mistaken for abrasion. So I'm still worried and trying to do the right thing.
I went back to 2007 and counted the times (I documented the events with a dot in my running log) I saw a CSW: 40 times. Everything was protected or never involved oral or vaginal sex until 2010. At that time I met CSW "A" whom I mostly saw. I would say I have had no more than unprotected 3 to 4 vaginal sex episodes with her and numerous times (5 or 6) rubbing the head of my penis on her wet vagina. Always oral sex of course.
Then I had brief, and shallow sex with CSWs P, M, and D. With D she said I didn't penetrate.
So to be conservative, lets say I had 20 vaginal sex events since about 2010.
Then the forum says the average risk is 0.001 per event. Twenty times means my risk is 0.02 or 1 out of 50. High but the odds are in my favor.
But say for 10% of the time unknown lesions were present, then 0.1*20 = 2 times I was exposed to this at 0.01 per event means my risk was .02. Then the other events add as 18*.001 = 0.018.
Taken together my total risk might be 0.02 + 0.018 = 0.038 = 3.8% or 1 out of 26. The odds are still in my favor but still with a 96.2% chance I didn't acquire HSV-2. The national average gives a 75% chance one hasn't acquired HSV-2.
But I am concerned about the one-off event that one of these CSW just recently acquired HSV-2 and was more infectious than the probabilities I quoted. The risk is higher, correct?
I hope you find find my reasoning sound, and no need to reply unless you want to at this time.
But this is why I am testing as you suggested for HSV-2. I just tested yesterday and will report in a week or two on the results. IgG as you said.
Best regards,
WIT
Thank you Dr. HHH, that's the specific information I needed!
I will report back for completeness, no real need on your part to comment on the chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis test results unless something weird happens, when those results are in shortly.
I will get the IgG (no IgM) test for HSV-2 antibodies only underway.
I am hoping for a good outcome with respect to all of this, thanks again.
Best regards until I have more results,
worriedintucson
I will report back for completeness, no real need on your part to comment on the chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis test results unless something weird happens, when those results are in shortly.
I will get the IgG (no IgM) test for HSV-2 antibodies only underway.
I am hoping for a good outcome with respect to all of this, thanks again.
Best regards until I have more results,
worriedintucson
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Just make sure it's a type-specific test that accurately distinguishes antibody to HSV-1 and HSV-2; and that you have only an IgG test. If the lab routinely does IgM as well as IgG testing, ask that IgM not be done. (The IgM HSV tests are notoriously unreliable and would create a much higher risk of a false positive result.)
Thanks, should I go with what Planned Parenthood offers or request a special type? Thanks.
WIT
WIT
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There is virtually no chance you caught HSV-2 during the exposure described above. However, based on your general lifestyle, an argument could be made for HSV-2 testing -- and my guess is that the possibility of it will remain in the back of your mind unless and until you are tested.
Don't be overly concerned by all the disucssions about false-positive HSV-2 test results you'll find on this forum. People with definitive test results, either positive or negative, typically don't need to ask ask about it. However, those with equivocal results often need clarification, so they are over-represented in online forums. If you are tested, most likely the result will be clearly negative (or, less likely, clearly positive).
Don't be overly concerned by all the disucssions about false-positive HSV-2 test results you'll find on this forum. People with definitive test results, either positive or negative, typically don't need to ask ask about it. However, those with equivocal results often need clarification, so they are over-represented in online forums. If you are tested, most likely the result will be clearly negative (or, less likely, clearly positive).
Good news - the HIV Rapid test was negative. The exposure I was worried about was in July (see above). The two oral exposures are not a realistic concern based on the forum's expert advice by HHH and EWH.
Probably the chlamydia, gonorrhea, will come back negative as well soon. Syphilis likely negative too as with HIV. Planned Parenthood's method is to call the positive ones first, it has been ten days since testing so I'm likely home free; I will report once results are in. I did test too soon for the last oral sex event 2.5 weeks only had passed but oral syphilis is rare as you say.
The above rash is pretty much cleared up. Seeming abrasions fading.
But as I going clean now, is HSV-2 worth testing for? I've had a few unprotected exposures with CSW in the last few years. Never noticed a bump or blister. I don't want to get into the false positive loop. What test should I ask for if you recommend testing? Were the odds of not acquiring HSV-2 in my favor (I hope)? I want to bury this episode in my life for good if possible.
These should be my last questions. Thank you doctor(s).
worriedintucson
Probably the chlamydia, gonorrhea, will come back negative as well soon. Syphilis likely negative too as with HIV. Planned Parenthood's method is to call the positive ones first, it has been ten days since testing so I'm likely home free; I will report once results are in. I did test too soon for the last oral sex event 2.5 weeks only had passed but oral syphilis is rare as you say.
The above rash is pretty much cleared up. Seeming abrasions fading.
But as I going clean now, is HSV-2 worth testing for? I've had a few unprotected exposures with CSW in the last few years. Never noticed a bump or blister. I don't want to get into the false positive loop. What test should I ask for if you recommend testing? Were the odds of not acquiring HSV-2 in my favor (I hope)? I want to bury this episode in my life for good if possible.
These should be my last questions. Thank you doctor(s).
worriedintucson
You are a sage. I would put Dr. Hook in the same category.
Thank you.
WIT
Thank you.
WIT
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Obviously I have no way to guarantee you have no STD that you could transmit to your wife, whether from your recent or past exposures. But based on all the information above, it probably is safe for you to continue unprotected sex with her. On the other hand, your "honestly" statement implies you'll worry about it if you do -- so maybe delaying until your test results is the best option.
Thank you for your comments doctor. I am relatively clean down there and abrasion would be my guess, but, glad to hear that I can likely rule out an STD. Advice of enhanced hygiene accepted as well.
Still, I am following up next Tuesday with a syphilis, HIV check, and the bacterial ones gonorrhea and chlamydia to close out a bad episode in my life. I will get the area checked just in case since I'm there.
Sex with wife:Recommend wait or proceed this weekend? The area is not really painful but inflamed looking. Honestly I would rather put it off for another week with her to make sure. But is it OK if I had to?
Finally, I sincerely appreciate and thank you for your compassion and service. I'm sure I don't deserve it but I am grateful nevertheless.
WIT
Still, I am following up next Tuesday with a syphilis, HIV check, and the bacterial ones gonorrhea and chlamydia to close out a bad episode in my life. I will get the area checked just in case since I'm there.
Sex with wife:Recommend wait or proceed this weekend? The area is not really painful but inflamed looking. Honestly I would rather put it off for another week with her to make sure. But is it OK if I had to?
Finally, I sincerely appreciate and thank you for your compassion and service. I'm sure I don't deserve it but I am grateful nevertheless.
WIT
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back to the forum.
It sounds like you have had balanitis -- the medical term for inflammation of the head of the penis, especially under the foreskin in uncircumcised men. Most balanitis is "nonspecific", i.e. with no particular cause known but often related to suboptimal hygiene. Some cases are due to yeast or other fungal infections. Neither fungal nor nonspecific balanitis are STDs. Your description also seems consistent with abrasion, whether due to overly vigorous masturbation or the recent (Aug 25) oral sex exposure, if that also was pretty vigorous.
Your description doesn't sound like either herpes or syphilis. Herpes for sure doesn't first show symptoms 8 weeks after exposure; usually it's 3-5 days, rarely up to 3 weeks. Syphilis typically shows up at 2-6 weeks, but in any case there's almost zero risk of syphilis from the sorts of exposures you describe.
Based on the balanitis possibility, I would advise enhanced hygiene: retract the foreskin and wash with soap and water twice a day. If the irritation/rash persist after doing this for 2-3 days, then it should be professionally examined. In any case, I doubt this is any STD.
Regards-- HHH, MD
It sounds like you have had balanitis -- the medical term for inflammation of the head of the penis, especially under the foreskin in uncircumcised men. Most balanitis is "nonspecific", i.e. with no particular cause known but often related to suboptimal hygiene. Some cases are due to yeast or other fungal infections. Neither fungal nor nonspecific balanitis are STDs. Your description also seems consistent with abrasion, whether due to overly vigorous masturbation or the recent (Aug 25) oral sex exposure, if that also was pretty vigorous.
Your description doesn't sound like either herpes or syphilis. Herpes for sure doesn't first show symptoms 8 weeks after exposure; usually it's 3-5 days, rarely up to 3 weeks. Syphilis typically shows up at 2-6 weeks, but in any case there's almost zero risk of syphilis from the sorts of exposures you describe.
Based on the balanitis possibility, I would advise enhanced hygiene: retract the foreskin and wash with soap and water twice a day. If the irritation/rash persist after doing this for 2-3 days, then it should be professionally examined. In any case, I doubt this is any STD.
Regards-- 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.
