Aa
Guidance needed regarding “symptoms”.
Hello, I’m 15 days post encounter with a woman who’s status was & is unknown. I performed unprotected oral sex for about 15 minutes and had unprotected intercourse for about 10. I’ve experienced very mild tingling & itching on my penis & rectum, & a slight burning around my inner thighs for most of the time since. It has seemed to improve greatly with Lotrimin AF & time. Just an occasional itch or tingling here and there. I have NO sores or redness on my penis or anywhere in my genital region. I’ve also experienced a VERY mild headache and some fatigue throughout, but that could be stress I guess. I have experienced no fever at all.
Just yesterday however, I’ve developed what can only be explained as dull lower back pain mostly on the left side. Sometimes it feels like my whole left side is numb; but only slightly. I’ve also developed what looks like the early stages of a cold sore on my upper lip. But it’s very faint and is painless. Time will tell on that I guess.
In November of 2017 and again in April 2018 I tested negative for all STD’s across the board; including HSV1&2. Do any of these symptoms seem to indicate HSV or any other std/i? I’ve found conflicting info regarding back pain as a symptom on the internet. But Dr. Hunter Handsfield (who you know is highly respected) states almost unequivocally that back pain is not a symptom of HSV. I’ve also found conflicting info regarding prodrome or tingling/itching/burning when it comes to an initial outbreak. Dr. HH also seems to think prodrome mostly only occurs with recurrent outbreaks and not initial.
So:
15 days post unprotected oral and vaginal exposure. Tingling,itching,burning lasting most of that time, but has seemed to improve with time and antifungal. Very slight headache throughout. Fatigue. No fever. NO lesions or sores anywhere on genitals. Dull Lower back pain. Small painless “red patch” on upper lip. No prior STD including HSV infections detected. Thoughts? & Thanks!
Just yesterday however, I’ve developed what can only be explained as dull lower back pain mostly on the left side. Sometimes it feels like my whole left side is numb; but only slightly. I’ve also developed what looks like the early stages of a cold sore on my upper lip. But it’s very faint and is painless. Time will tell on that I guess.
In November of 2017 and again in April 2018 I tested negative for all STD’s across the board; including HSV1&2. Do any of these symptoms seem to indicate HSV or any other std/i? I’ve found conflicting info regarding back pain as a symptom on the internet. But Dr. Hunter Handsfield (who you know is highly respected) states almost unequivocally that back pain is not a symptom of HSV. I’ve also found conflicting info regarding prodrome or tingling/itching/burning when it comes to an initial outbreak. Dr. HH also seems to think prodrome mostly only occurs with recurrent outbreaks and not initial.
So:
15 days post unprotected oral and vaginal exposure. Tingling,itching,burning lasting most of that time, but has seemed to improve with time and antifungal. Very slight headache throughout. Fatigue. No fever. NO lesions or sores anywhere on genitals. Dull Lower back pain. Small painless “red patch” on upper lip. No prior STD including HSV infections detected. Thoughts? & Thanks!
COMMUNITY LEADER
And Dr. HHH is awesome, and we miss him here. You can trust what he says.
2 Comments
What do you mean “miss him”? Is he no longer answering questions on this forum?
No, we no longer have doctor forums here. :( He's answering questions on another forum that I'm sure you can find by googling.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Your symptoms have gone on too long to be considered prodrome, which usually last a day or two, tops. Given that you have seen improvement with the antifungal, I'd say it's more likely to be fungal than herpes.
Also, dull lower back pain can be indicative of many things, but not usually herpes. Depending on how low, it could indicate a UTI, so if that lingers, get that checked.
Herpes rarely goes from the genitals to the mouth, so if she has genital herpes, which we don't even know if she has, it's unlikely that you'd get it orally. If you get a cold sore, it's likely that you already have hsv1. Most people who have it don't know they do.
I suspect that at least some of this is a heightened body awareness being worried about getting an STD. I'm not saying it all is, so if it lingers, get it checked out.
Also, dull lower back pain can be indicative of many things, but not usually herpes. Depending on how low, it could indicate a UTI, so if that lingers, get that checked.
Herpes rarely goes from the genitals to the mouth, so if she has genital herpes, which we don't even know if she has, it's unlikely that you'd get it orally. If you get a cold sore, it's likely that you already have hsv1. Most people who have it don't know they do.
I suspect that at least some of this is a heightened body awareness being worried about getting an STD. I'm not saying it all is, so if it lingers, get it checked out.
2 Comments
Thank you for your response. It is somewhat comforting. I have an appointment for testing this week knowing after just two weeks time that it will only be conclusive for C & G. I also have the HIV RNA early detection scheduled. I hope to at least know my status regarding those in a few days. If I may ask; Can someone have extended prodrome (2 weeks +) with no sores occurring at all in regards to an initial infection of HSV1 or 2? Thanks in advance.
No. Prodrome lasts a day or two, tops. I don't know for sure if prodrome doesn't exist in primaries, but it doesn't really matter here - it wouldn't last this long in either case.
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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.
