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Are these Herpes symptoms after potential exposure?
48 yr old male. 3 weeks ago today (Aug 12, 21 days ago)I had a body rub nude massage with a girl working out of her apartment. No intercourse, either oral or vaginal, but there was some brief genital rubbing. Nothing seemed out of the normal until 18 (Aug 30) days later when I found a tiny scab just under the head of my penis. It brushed off easily and underneath was just a red spot, not raised or ulcerated, just like a bit of raw skin. I saw nothing in this area in the days before that and I had been looking because I was concerned about the possible exposure. Since it was painless, I put a little lotrimin on it and the redness went away mostly in a day or so. Today (Thurs 9/3) you have look hard and stretch the folded skin to see that there was anything there at all.
A few other points to make
1. I’ve tested negative in Jan in routine std screen for HSV 1&2 by IGG test. So if this was a first outbreak wouldn’t it have been worse?
2. The skin on my penis is extremely dry that I can see when erect. The underside looks a bit white And ashy actually. I haven’t had sex in about 10 days or masturbated in a week. Why so dry? New soaps maybe?
3. I reached out to the girl in question and she told me that there was no direct genital rubbing, that she just makes it feel like that, and that she has recently tested negative for HSV 1 and 2 when they took her birth control out? Not sure why she mentioned that part, but also no idea how honest she’s being.
4. Recently had a physical (7 days ago) and had a urinalysis done as I am having Prostatitis symptoms (for the third time in 5 yrs) No WBC’s or Nitrites in urine. I was concerned that urethral herpes may have been part of this too but I think that usually would show up with WBC’s in urine? My dr saw nothing on my penis in the physical exam either.
All these things being said, do the symptoms above sound like Herpes? The small scab concerned be greatly but it was so mild with no initial sore or blister apparent that I saw. Also, the potential exposure is very limited and the girl claims she is negative. But, I’m still worried. Question: Should I test at 4 weeks (HerpesSelect IGG) for this (I know 12 wks is best but don’t want to wait) or is there such limited chance I am infected that a potential false positive outweighs the benefit of an not completely conclusive negative test?
A few other points to make
1. I’ve tested negative in Jan in routine std screen for HSV 1&2 by IGG test. So if this was a first outbreak wouldn’t it have been worse?
2. The skin on my penis is extremely dry that I can see when erect. The underside looks a bit white And ashy actually. I haven’t had sex in about 10 days or masturbated in a week. Why so dry? New soaps maybe?
3. I reached out to the girl in question and she told me that there was no direct genital rubbing, that she just makes it feel like that, and that she has recently tested negative for HSV 1 and 2 when they took her birth control out? Not sure why she mentioned that part, but also no idea how honest she’s being.
4. Recently had a physical (7 days ago) and had a urinalysis done as I am having Prostatitis symptoms (for the third time in 5 yrs) No WBC’s or Nitrites in urine. I was concerned that urethral herpes may have been part of this too but I think that usually would show up with WBC’s in urine? My dr saw nothing on my penis in the physical exam either.
All these things being said, do the symptoms above sound like Herpes? The small scab concerned be greatly but it was so mild with no initial sore or blister apparent that I saw. Also, the potential exposure is very limited and the girl claims she is negative. But, I’m still worried. Question: Should I test at 4 weeks (HerpesSelect IGG) for this (I know 12 wks is best but don’t want to wait) or is there such limited chance I am infected that a potential false positive outweighs the benefit of an not completely conclusive negative test?
COMMUNITY LEADER
If you were negative in Jan, you're correct that if you were newly infected, you'd be likely to have a lot more than a small, painless spot.
It also takes a lot more than some brief genital rubbing to transmit (and you aren't really sure that happened). It takes some good friction, usually the kind from penetration, though in theory, prolonged vigorous grinding could do it.
You mentioned that you had really dry, even ashy skin. You can get seriously dry skin on your penis. You can get eczema, dermatitis, etc., on your penis. You mention new soap, too - that could absolutely do it. I don't know what kind of soap it is, but you really only need a gentle soap on your genital area. Use Ivory or Dove for Sensitive Skin.
If it doesn't improve, ask your urologist about it.
And you could have non-bacterial chronic prostatitis. What does your doc say? Also, make sure to drink plenty of water, and avoid caffeine. Men with chronic prostatitis say that caffeine is one of their biggest triggers.
You can do another IgG test at 4 weeks, but my guess is it would be negative.
It also takes a lot more than some brief genital rubbing to transmit (and you aren't really sure that happened). It takes some good friction, usually the kind from penetration, though in theory, prolonged vigorous grinding could do it.
You mentioned that you had really dry, even ashy skin. You can get seriously dry skin on your penis. You can get eczema, dermatitis, etc., on your penis. You mention new soap, too - that could absolutely do it. I don't know what kind of soap it is, but you really only need a gentle soap on your genital area. Use Ivory or Dove for Sensitive Skin.
If it doesn't improve, ask your urologist about it.
And you could have non-bacterial chronic prostatitis. What does your doc say? Also, make sure to drink plenty of water, and avoid caffeine. Men with chronic prostatitis say that caffeine is one of their biggest triggers.
You can do another IgG test at 4 weeks, but my guess is it would be negative.
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Oh and be careful with doing too many IgGs. There are false positives, and undoing those takes weeks, and causes loads of anxiety and money.
Well, you’re right about caffeine. I’ve noticed Coke and Coffee can trigger the Prostatitis symptoms. I did do a 4 week test yesterday so we’ll see those results soon. I know that’s not definitive from 4 weeks ago, but with the limited exposure I’m hoping that puts it to rest and would tell me if I was exposed in between Jan until now and didn’t know!? Hoping for results today. And I have read a lot of your posts about false and low positives so we will see. Thanks again.
Let me know about the results. I read today about a study that says even those without symptoms - and your little spot isn't a symptom - who get over a 3.5 may have false positives. If you get a positive, it's going to be a false positive. You had really no risk. Why would the woman put herself at risk from you? She doesn't know what you have, and her job depends on staying disease free.
I hope the prostatitis symptoms get better soon. From what I can gather, that's far worse to deal with than herpes.
I hope the prostatitis symptoms get better soon. From what I can gather, that's far worse to deal with than herpes.
Results back today and they are negative. Didn’t give an actual number just says <.90 for both I and II. I’ll take it and run. I’m sure you would not suggest a test at 12 weeks so I’ll put this issue to rest and move forward.
I have spoken to my urologist about chronic non bacterial Prostatitis and that’s why he’s trying Levaquin to rule out bacterial infection first and then see if it’s the non bacterial type. I’m also having an ultrasound in two weeks so we shall see. Thanks again for commenting and advice.
I have spoken to my urologist about chronic non bacterial Prostatitis and that’s why he’s trying Levaquin to rule out bacterial infection first and then see if it’s the non bacterial type. I’m also having an ultrasound in two weeks so we shall see. Thanks again for commenting and advice.
Congrats, and please do not push it and test again and possibly get a false positive. Definitely take your negative and run. :)
I'm glad your doctor is working with you on the prostatitis. We have a Urology forum, if you need it, for that - https://www.medhelp.org/forums/Urology/show/52
I'm glad your doctor is working with you on the prostatitis. We have a Urology forum, if you need it, for that - https://www.medhelp.org/forums/Urology/show/52
Quick update. The red spot had basically gone away but was apparent again after sex. Still very concerned.
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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.
