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Is this Herpes? Help!
I had unprotected sex with the girl I am dating and she has been positive for HSV-2 for over ten years. She takes Valtrex daily and also wasn’t in the idle of an outbreak which I understand won’t stop you from acquiring the Herpes virus, rather it certainly diminishes the chances.
This was the first time we had sex and was my first partner since my divorce a little over a year ago. Hours after, burning began in the urethra and has been on and off for the last ten weeks. I was prescribed Azithromycin twice and doxycycline after the the azithromycin by my doctor and both seemed to work. I was also prescribed an anti-inflammatory for a different issue that was epididymitis and when I ran out, I noticed it flared up more than not. During this time I was also drinking a lot of water and taking AZO maximum strength recommended by the walk-in clinic. Both the doctor and walk-in clinic doctor examined me and didn’t see any abnormalities.
It is now into the 11 week since the exposure and I have still had no outward signs or symptoms and have not had anything other than the burning in the urethra. The only sign I would say would be a slight, and very occasional tingle sensation of the scrotum, but that is few and far between. During these weeks I have also had a lot of stress from a car wreck that took my two best friends and dealing with divorce issues. My anxiety has also been high because of the burning and not knowing if it’s herpes or not. I am going to the Urologist tomorrow and will also be taking my blood test for herpes.
Any help, guidance or advice would be greatly appreciated.
This was the first time we had sex and was my first partner since my divorce a little over a year ago. Hours after, burning began in the urethra and has been on and off for the last ten weeks. I was prescribed Azithromycin twice and doxycycline after the the azithromycin by my doctor and both seemed to work. I was also prescribed an anti-inflammatory for a different issue that was epididymitis and when I ran out, I noticed it flared up more than not. During this time I was also drinking a lot of water and taking AZO maximum strength recommended by the walk-in clinic. Both the doctor and walk-in clinic doctor examined me and didn’t see any abnormalities.
It is now into the 11 week since the exposure and I have still had no outward signs or symptoms and have not had anything other than the burning in the urethra. The only sign I would say would be a slight, and very occasional tingle sensation of the scrotum, but that is few and far between. During these weeks I have also had a lot of stress from a car wreck that took my two best friends and dealing with divorce issues. My anxiety has also been high because of the burning and not knowing if it’s herpes or not. I am going to the Urologist tomorrow and will also be taking my blood test for herpes.
Any help, guidance or advice would be greatly appreciated.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I was thinking CPPS/prostatitis as I was reading this. Herpes wouldn't cause symptoms so fast (hours later). The soonest you'd get symptoms is 2 days later.
Her being on daily Valtrex means that over the course of a year, the chance of transmission to you is about 2-3%. If you use condoms as well, that brings it to about 1-2%. (Both are better than the odds of getting pregnant using the pill.)
You should read the Herpes Handbook - https://westoverheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Updated-Herpes-Book.pdf It's free, written by one of the world's leading experts on herpes, and loaded with great info.
Her being on daily Valtrex means that over the course of a year, the chance of transmission to you is about 2-3%. If you use condoms as well, that brings it to about 1-2%. (Both are better than the odds of getting pregnant using the pill.)
You should read the Herpes Handbook - https://westoverheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Updated-Herpes-Book.pdf It's free, written by one of the world's leading experts on herpes, and loaded with great info.
14 Comments
Thank you for the insight and response. It was a great read and I appreciate the information it has provided.
I did have some relief yesterday from the burning. Much more so than any day lately. It is back today as the dull annoyance. It has never burned burning urination or ejaculation. It seems that both extended periods were three weeks or longer each time with short periods of little to no burning in between. Any rhyme or reason to that? Sorry if that is a redundant question.
So if I read that right 2-3% chance over 365 days is obviously a very slight chance. Is it possible that the only “symptom” could be the burning? I also had some lower back pain, however, I was very stressed and anxiety filled because this occurrence happened right after the viewing and burials. I know stress can be carried in the lower back and pelvis so I am assuming it might be just because of that?
I did have some relief yesterday from the burning. Much more so than any day lately. It is back today as the dull annoyance. It has never burned burning urination or ejaculation. It seems that both extended periods were three weeks or longer each time with short periods of little to no burning in between. Any rhyme or reason to that? Sorry if that is a redundant question.
So if I read that right 2-3% chance over 365 days is obviously a very slight chance. Is it possible that the only “symptom” could be the burning? I also had some lower back pain, however, I was very stressed and anxiety filled because this occurrence happened right after the viewing and burials. I know stress can be carried in the lower back and pelvis so I am assuming it might be just because of that?
Also, could the effects from the antibiotics have been simply a placebo effect? Same with the AZO?
No, the only symptom wouldn't be burning.
You're going through a LOT right now. Several years ago, my grandmother and best friend/ex-bf/love of my life died within 3 weeks of each other. I was in the process of moving, as well. Different kinds of losses, but it's similar enough that I have to suggest therapy. It's a lot to go through at once, there's no shame in needing someone objective to talk through things with.
Stress could be causing your symptoms, for sure. Anxiety could be. Starting a new relationship while going through a divorce is hard. Add the deaths of your best friends, and herpes into the mix? Yeah, it's no wonder you are feeling anxious. You're doing well to get out of bed in the morning.
I really don't think this is herpes. I'm not saying you don't have something physical happening. The chances that this is herpes though are really, really low. Please don't focus on herpes so much that you miss the chance to diagnose what it is early and get relief.
You're going through a LOT right now. Several years ago, my grandmother and best friend/ex-bf/love of my life died within 3 weeks of each other. I was in the process of moving, as well. Different kinds of losses, but it's similar enough that I have to suggest therapy. It's a lot to go through at once, there's no shame in needing someone objective to talk through things with.
Stress could be causing your symptoms, for sure. Anxiety could be. Starting a new relationship while going through a divorce is hard. Add the deaths of your best friends, and herpes into the mix? Yeah, it's no wonder you are feeling anxious. You're doing well to get out of bed in the morning.
I really don't think this is herpes. I'm not saying you don't have something physical happening. The chances that this is herpes though are really, really low. Please don't focus on herpes so much that you miss the chance to diagnose what it is early and get relief.
I have gone through quite a bit and the last few months and even heat have been very difficult at times. I will take your advice and reach out to a therapist to seek additional support.
I do want to stay positive and address the correct problems...it is difficult especially when you do the no-no and google everything. Very occasionally I have a slight itch sensation on the scrotum. And every once in a while my legs have a very quick weakness feeling which I tie to my workout routine. Also, I had two spots that went away quickly and both had hair follicles coming out of them so I assumed Folliculitis for that as they didn’t itch, burn or tingle. The only constant is the burning, but yesterday and today hasn’t been too terribly bad. I feel sometimes it’s hard to not look past the herpes thought, but then I look at the symptoms and articles and say really the only constant IS the burning sensation and that is constant when it happens not during urination or ejacilation.
I really appreciate your comments and advice. It has really helped me keep my chin up and hope for the best even though the dark cloud still exists at times.
I do want to stay positive and address the correct problems...it is difficult especially when you do the no-no and google everything. Very occasionally I have a slight itch sensation on the scrotum. And every once in a while my legs have a very quick weakness feeling which I tie to my workout routine. Also, I had two spots that went away quickly and both had hair follicles coming out of them so I assumed Folliculitis for that as they didn’t itch, burn or tingle. The only constant is the burning, but yesterday and today hasn’t been too terribly bad. I feel sometimes it’s hard to not look past the herpes thought, but then I look at the symptoms and articles and say really the only constant IS the burning sensation and that is constant when it happens not during urination or ejacilation.
I really appreciate your comments and advice. It has really helped me keep my chin up and hope for the best even though the dark cloud still exists at times.
I also wanted to add occasional discomfort of the glans and slight redness at the urethra opening but that could be simply from irritation? Sorry I am trying to not overthink this.
Frequent urination could be causing the irritation at the tip especially if you have dribbling after urination, the urine isn't completely clean and as it leaks post urination it can cause irritation at the tip. Unless it's super red and painful I doubt this could be anything serious such as herpes.
By the way you should avoid unprotected sex with this female if you want to be completely safe, always use condoms and avoid sex during outbreaks.
One last comment and I am so sorry! I just came home and noticed three pimples on my right buttocks. I didn’t notice them at all today or last night until I was home changing after work. They don’t hurt, itch or burn. Only felt a sensation when I touched them. I took a sitz bath last night and was sweating pretty good after as well as through the night and today as it was quite hot out. I can’t get a picture to upload but they are in a straight line vertically on the upper right buttocks. If they were herpes lesions, what would I notice and how would they be different from pimples?
I have received the results back and they were negative. It was taken before 12 weeks and I am just over 10...should I retest or accept he results and move on?
Was it taken at 12 weeks post exposure? What type of test was it? IGG type specific?? What was the index?
Sometimes, pimples are just pimples. If it was herpes, it would most likely look like blisters, not pimples.
And yes, can you answer what spooked asked about the test? 10 weeks or 12 weeks won't make a huge difference here.
And yes, can you answer what spooked asked about the test? 10 weeks or 12 weeks won't make a huge difference here.
It was the IGG Type 2 specific that I took right at 10 weeks
Result was stated on the paperwork as Negative and for the value it was stated as <.091
do you mean < 0.91 ? you might wanna retest at 16 weeks but 10 weeks is ample time to show enough antibodies.. I think you're pretty much clear but for peace of mind do it at 16 weeks for conclusive results.
The only symptom and noticeable “pain” or discomfort I should say is the burning at the tip of the urethra...occasionally I can feel it lower into the shaft. I do notice it more when I am sitting for a longer period of time, hold it too long or drink coffee or something similar. Very occassionallly I feel a sensation at the scrotum, but nothing intense or long lasting.
The only difference in color is when it turns red after it has been irritated. That is just at the tip though.
I am going on for my HSV2 test tomorrow so that will hopefully shed some light.
The burning tends to come and go through the day and there has been long periods of time such as weeks where it wasn’t noticeable at all.
The only difference in color is when it turns red after it has been irritated. That is just at the tip though.
I am going on for my HSV2 test tomorrow so that will hopefully shed some light.
The burning tends to come and go through the day and there has been long periods of time such as weeks where it wasn’t noticeable at all.
1 Comments
I'm going thru exactly the same symptoms!! Wow.. My urologist thinks it's CPPS (chronic pelvic pain syndrome) but I'm still worried this might be hsv2 I need to go get a second blood test done too!
Did the opening of your urethra change colors? I doubt this is herpes, it could be pelvic pain caused by a prostate infection or due to high anxiety. Herpetic urethritis would cause extreme pain when urinating, which seems to not be your case. Also herpes symptoms (from what I've read) wouldn't last for so long without relief. I have been suffering from similar symptoms for close to 3 months now (after sleeping with hsv2 positive female), I've done one hsv test 6 weeks post exposure which came back clean, and I've been to a urologist several times, he put me on antibiotics which cleared my urine from white blood cells after two weeks, but the urethra burning sensation never went away but it has gradually improved and it's hardly noticeable nowadays but still there. I think you might be suffering from the same condition I have which is CPPS. Please keep us updated on the hsv testing and good luck !
Went to the Urologist and they said to monitor intake of irritants and to change my diet to help alleviate some of the irritation. Another urinalysis was done and came back clean. Did a rectal exam to check prostate and nothing there either. Recheck in 4-6 weeks. Brought up possibility of prostatitis.
I have an HSV2 test scheduled for tomorrow. I still have no outward signs or symptoms and have been taking anti-inflammatory and Aleve daily.
Any help or suggestions? Advice?
I have an HSV2 test scheduled for tomorrow. I still have no outward signs or symptoms and have been taking anti-inflammatory and Aleve daily.
Any help or suggestions? Advice?
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