Sore / swollen urethra with discharge

[Jim77]

Over 3 weeks ago, I made a very poor decision and had unprotected vaginal sex with a sex worker.  Almost immediately after the encounter I experienced tingling in my penis and groin area.  I went to the local STD clinic and was tested for gonorrhea, chlamydia and the standard blood tests.  All came back negative but I was experiencing tingling / itching in my urethra along with redness, some swelling at the entrance to the urethra and what appeared to be a few very tiny sores / lesions and clear discharge.  I went to a doctor and without examining me he gave me treatment for gonorrhea, chlamydia and yeast infections and suggested I retake the swab tests at the clinic.  I did so and this time they also took a swab for herpes that came back positive for herpes simplex 1.  I have been on Valtrex (1g 2x per day) for the past 7 days but am still sometimes having pain in my urethra and it still looks like it is somewhat swollen.  I am also still experiencing a clear discharge.  Is this just a symptom of the herpes that I should wait to go away or should I be concerned?  I went back to the doctor and he suggested since I

[Calls]

I have been with only my husband for six years and now I have herpes. Could I have had it before and not known?

[jaworn]

A related discussion, chlamydia was started.

[babs35]

I am a 35 yr old woman who has similar symptoms sowllen Uretra, almost closing the opening to the vagina. Slight Iritation after urination, and painful pressure as well after urination. There is no sign of sores. Could that still be Herpies as well?

[Jim77]

Hi Mike, the sores I have seem to have mostly gone away.  When I did have them, they looked like (and no doubt were) herpes sores as I did contract genital herpes.  I'm still having some irritation and occasional discharge but I think (and am hoping) that this is just lingering symptoms from my herpes infection.  Hope your problems resolve themselves.

[Mike12]

i have a similar situation.  I have tested negative for everything yet i have clear discharge and iritation at opening. You say u have tiny sores. Do they go away and come back?  Are they always there? Do they look like pimples or warts or what?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

My first comment is that every STD requires at least 1-3 days before onset of symptoms; none starts causing symptoms immediately.  Onset immediately or within hours almost always means an allergic or irritative reaction, such as to a spermicide, lubricant, etc.

But I really can't say much more.  You are seeing a provider and have been treated for all the STDs that conceivably might be causing your symptoms.  So anything still going on undoubtedly is not serious--maybe anxiety-related?  In any case, I usually can't come up with a more accurate diagnosis than a provider who has actually examined a patient.  If you are not confident in your doctor's STD knowledge, consider visiting your local health department STD clinic.

Sorry I can't help more.  Good luck--

HHH, MD