Aa
herpes
I had a sexual encounter with a woman. There was no penetration or oral contact. There was only frottage through underwear, hand to genital contact, and genital to breast contact. She had fingered herself before touching my penis. I have called std hotlines and posted on blogs similar to this and have been told this is very low herpes risk.
About 10 days later, I began to sense some "tingling" in my genital area. I was told that my actions were low risk and this was probably psychological. I tried running a lot to get my mind off it. I noticed some chafing between my scrotum and thigh area. It looked dry and red. When I started to touch it, I kind of stretched the skin and it "cracked" open. I had a few little slits, like tiny open sores. I went to my doctor and he said it does not look like herpes, and doesn't sound like I could have gotten it, but put my on acyclovir. The cracks healed in a few days, but I still have tingling.
Is there anything else this could be? Some kind of jock itch? The tingling has been happening for about 1 week. It comes and goes through out the day. Mostly it just feels dry and itchy.
This has caused great concern and anxiety. Any advice is appreciated.
About 10 days later, I began to sense some "tingling" in my genital area. I was told that my actions were low risk and this was probably psychological. I tried running a lot to get my mind off it. I noticed some chafing between my scrotum and thigh area. It looked dry and red. When I started to touch it, I kind of stretched the skin and it "cracked" open. I had a few little slits, like tiny open sores. I went to my doctor and he said it does not look like herpes, and doesn't sound like I could have gotten it, but put my on acyclovir. The cracks healed in a few days, but I still have tingling.
Is there anything else this could be? Some kind of jock itch? The tingling has been happening for about 1 week. It comes and goes through out the day. Mostly it just feels dry and itchy.
This has caused great concern and anxiety. Any advice is appreciated.
Thank you grace, that is very reassuring. I am just being overly cautious because I want to make sure I don't spread to my partner.
If its not an std, anti-fungal meds aren't working, I've even tried anti-biotics, and using moisturizing lotion, what's left?
If its not an std, anti-fungal meds aren't working, I've even tried anti-biotics, and using moisturizing lotion, what's left?
Hi YoBuck.
Please keep me informed on what you find out. Your situation sounds very similar to mine and I would be interested to hear the results. I'll also post as I found out more info.
My doctor says that Herpes would turn into sores quite quickly, and not last weeks, but I've found conflicting info on various boards about people having mild symptoms that don't turn into sores, and lasting for months and months.
Good luck.
Please keep me informed on what you find out. Your situation sounds very similar to mine and I would be interested to hear the results. I'll also post as I found out more info.
My doctor says that Herpes would turn into sores quite quickly, and not last weeks, but I've found conflicting info on various boards about people having mild symptoms that don't turn into sores, and lasting for months and months.
Good luck.
Hi Grace. YoBuck here. You have answered a reply earlier in the month for me. As mentioned from the gentlemen above, I too have a slight burning sensation right below my scrotum on the inside of both legs where the legs meet my pelvic. Comes and goes and not painful at all, just know its there. This has been going on now for about 28 days. No blisters, rash or cracks. Also, I don't really notice it while walking but only sitting down and when I am not thinking about it, I really don't feel it at all. Could this be herpes? Thanks for your reply.
YoBuck
YoBuck
your provider erred in giving you valtrex. you had no reason to take it. you really should stop it.
you shouldn't be thinking a std as a cause at all. nothing you are describing sounds std related.
you shouldn't be thinking a std as a cause at all. nothing you are describing sounds std related.
Its been about 5 weeks of tingling. I've used every jock itch medicine on the market. My doctor put me on valacyclovir. Is it possible that the meds are keeping it from becoming a full outbreak, and I'm just having a series of them? My crotch feels constantly inflamed and irritated. I get these rushes of tingling and itchiness, mostly in the evenings, especially if I drink alcohol. Sometimes its actual pains in various areas of my penis. I constantly feel like I'm on the verge of an outbreak. I'd like to get another test as its been 6 weeks, but I'm told that the meds can affect the test results. Is this true?
Is there any other route I should be pursuing? Is there any other STD I can be looking for?
Is there any other route I should be pursuing? Is there any other STD I can be looking for?
there are also false negative issues with igm testing which is also why we don't recommend their use.
continue to follow up with your provider and/or a dermatologist as needed for your symptoms.
continue to follow up with your provider and/or a dermatologist as needed for your symptoms.
I read the doctor's answer to why IGM testing is not recommended, but I understand it is mostly because of the potential for false positive or confusion over positive results, but I am curious about the accuracy of false negatives. If someone is experiencing physical symptoms, is a false negative possible?
I understand that you think this is only my anxiety, and I do not mean to belabor this, and I can appreciate you trying to calm people during the period where results are not accurate. Its easy to imagine that there was exposure because the woman was not wearing any underwear, and although I was, the red, cracked skin I experienced was next to my genitals where she could have easily rubbed. Since the sensations are not responding to anti-fungal cream, antibiotics, etc. I am getting desperate. The CDC clearly states:
"Most individuals infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2 experience either no symptoms or have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed or are mistaken for another skin condition. "
And this leaves things open for interpretation. I appreciate your help, and do not mean to insult you, I am just getting desperate and not sure what to tell my partner. I don't want to feel that I am not contagious or falsely confident because of an inaccurate IGM, and then expose her to Herpes, as I understand that I am most contagious at this point if it is.
Again, I have no intention to disrespect your knowledge, but I am having very serious symptoms of something and my doctor just keeps saying it sounds like herpes, but we can't pinpoint anything, so I'm just trying to make sense of it all.
I understand that you think this is only my anxiety, and I do not mean to belabor this, and I can appreciate you trying to calm people during the period where results are not accurate. Its easy to imagine that there was exposure because the woman was not wearing any underwear, and although I was, the red, cracked skin I experienced was next to my genitals where she could have easily rubbed. Since the sensations are not responding to anti-fungal cream, antibiotics, etc. I am getting desperate. The CDC clearly states:
"Most individuals infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2 experience either no symptoms or have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed or are mistaken for another skin condition. "
And this leaves things open for interpretation. I appreciate your help, and do not mean to insult you, I am just getting desperate and not sure what to tell my partner. I don't want to feel that I am not contagious or falsely confident because of an inaccurate IGM, and then expose her to Herpes, as I understand that I am most contagious at this point if it is.
Again, I have no intention to disrespect your knowledge, but I am having very serious symptoms of something and my doctor just keeps saying it sounds like herpes, but we can't pinpoint anything, so I'm just trying to make sense of it all.
herpes pain would be constant.
once again , you had no risk for herpes. your anxiety is the real issue here!!!
once again , you had no risk for herpes. your anxiety is the real issue here!!!
Just started getting a shooting pain in my right thigh. Its intermittant, lasts a quick second, happens every 30 seconds or so. Its very painfull but brief, on the outside of my mid thigh. Is this consistant with symptoms of HSV?
this sounds more like jock itch than herpes.
I often wish I could just give some of you posters herpes for a day. you'd quickly see the difference between your symptoms and herpes symptoms!
once again, you had absolutely no risk for herpes from the encounter in question. don't try to convince yourself otherwise!
I often wish I could just give some of you posters herpes for a day. you'd quickly see the difference between your symptoms and herpes symptoms!
once again, you had absolutely no risk for herpes from the encounter in question. don't try to convince yourself otherwise!
As far as everything I'm experiencing it seems to be most closely in line with what other people's experiences with herpes are. I understand the prodrome period can last a while, and doesn't always lead to open sores or blisters. Everyone responds differently. I took Acyclovir right when it started, and that is said to prevent the outbreak or reduce it.
As of right now, I am getting a tingling in my scrotum and penis. It seems to actually get more intense in the evenings. Its like a rush of sensation to those areas that is very itchy and tingly and makes me very uncomfortable. I can't figure out how to treat this or how to minimize the symptoms. Its going on 3 weeks or discomfort and agony.
Of course I don't want Herpes. I hope its something else, but I just don't know what else to pursue or how to alleviate these symptoms. So I am constantly searching and pursuing whatever I can, and it keeps leading towards one thing.
As of right now, I am getting a tingling in my scrotum and penis. It seems to actually get more intense in the evenings. Its like a rush of sensation to those areas that is very itchy and tingly and makes me very uncomfortable. I can't figure out how to treat this or how to minimize the symptoms. Its going on 3 weeks or discomfort and agony.
Of course I don't want Herpes. I hope its something else, but I just don't know what else to pursue or how to alleviate these symptoms. So I am constantly searching and pursuing whatever I can, and it keeps leading towards one thing.
Been using Lotrimin for over 2 weeks now, still have the tingling. Not sure what to do anymore, getting a bit desperate. Went to see my doctor, he's not sure how to proceed.
yes you can as well as often it's just an overgrowth of fungus/yeast that is already present on the body naturally.
actually jock itch is the most common cause of itching and tingling in the genital area. you would've had obvious lesions by now if this was herpes related. you had no risk for herpes from your encounter so you know it isn't a std causing your symptoms.
I have had intense tingling / itching in my genitals for 10 days. I'm starting to get desperate as its quite uncomfortable. My doctor says the only thing that has those symptoms is herpes. Since herpes is confined to the genital area and not just the genitals, is it posible that rubbing maybe if there was some slight contact, that this is herpes?
Assuming there is a slight chance, how accurate, or inaccurate, could that IGM test be? Is there reason to be retested? Considering that I have symptoms that no one can seem to pinpoint to anything else?
Assuming there is a slight chance, how accurate, or inaccurate, could that IGM test be? Is there reason to be retested? Considering that I have symptoms that no one can seem to pinpoint to anything else?
you were never at risk for herpes from the encounter you had so really no reason to be thinking herpes at all.
Grace, just to clarify, you are saying that any testing before week 8 is going to be inconclusive? So the negative result I receive could still be meaningless?
I first started feeling tingling at day 10, noticed the open sores at day 12, got tested on day 14. Started taking Acyclovir, I felt as if the tingling was less intense when I took the meds, and worse as it approached time to take the meds again. I took 800mg, 3 times a day, for 5 days.
By day 19, took the final does of meds, the cuts have healed up, Day 21, still a bit of a tingling sensation, much less noticeable than before.
Tests just came back negative for IGG and IGM. Which is a good sign, however, my understanding is that I may have tested too early. That because I started testing at day 14, my body may not have started making antibodies yet, and I should have waited longer. Now I need to retest for both IGM and IGG again?
By day 19, took the final does of meds, the cuts have healed up, Day 21, still a bit of a tingling sensation, much less noticeable than before.
Tests just came back negative for IGG and IGM. Which is a good sign, however, my understanding is that I may have tested too early. That because I started testing at day 14, my body may not have started making antibodies yet, and I should have waited longer. Now I need to retest for both IGM and IGG again?
What I've heard from the CDC and other sources is the symptoms can vary from person to person and if you take anti-virals in high dosage immediately, it can prevent the stop the outbreak from getting worse.
I have not heard that the IGM is that inaccurate, interesting to know. I should get my results soon, and I"lll update, but is a false positive common?
I have not heard that the IGM is that inaccurate, interesting to know. I should get my results soon, and I"lll update, but is a false positive common?
igm herpes testing is highly inaccurate. currenct cdc recommendations are that it not be done on adults. your provider erred in ordering that blood testing for you.
herpes doesn't cause intermittent tingling. it causes non-stop tingling/pain/itching.
herpes doesn't cause intermittent tingling. it causes non-stop tingling/pain/itching.
Hey I had almost the exact same sexual encounter with my partner as you did...and our symptoms are identical. Weird. I have not seen a doctor yet. My girlfriend thinks it's Jock Itch but is confused with the tingling. I bought Lotrimin and put it on last night and this morning. I think it helped a little...but maybe too soon to know. It's now day 7 for me since first experiencing symptoms. Like you, I am greatly concerned and have high anxiety from this.
I'll let you know if anything changes for me...please do the same. Best of luck bud. I hope everything is okay for both of us.
I'll let you know if anything changes for me...please do the same. Best of luck bud. I hope everything is okay for both of us.
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
