Something doesn't add up

[cafecrazy]

I've been in a long-term monogamous relationship for 3 years now. Unfortunately, on August 10th, I went to a massage parlor and was given a lubricated hand job. I was given a damp towel to clean up with (who knows where that had been).

I returned home from a busy weekend, that consisted of lots of sitting and airplane travel, on Monday the 14th. On Tuesday the 15th I noticed an ache in my testicles. That dull ache continued through the week until I saw a doctor on the 20th. I told him that I thought the ache had been caused by new boxer briefs. NOTE: these new underwear were washed in a different detergent while I was traveling.

That evening I felt a slight burning sensation on the skin of my penile shaft. I thought it might be some form of contact dermititis due to the change in detergents and some masturbation. I didn't give it much thought.

The following evening, August 21st, on top of my testicular ache, and burning shaft, I was struck by flu like symptoms. The burning sensation continued but never resulted in anything that really looked like herpes sores. I saw a different doctor that following morning. He ordered blood work and took a urine sample. He also ordered an ultrasound for my testicles. Everything came back clear. He prescribed a week long dose of Cipro to clear up any sort of bacterial infection.

My flu-like symptoms have continued throughout the week. Shaking, cold sweats, potential fever, lack of hunger, etc. i never broke out into anything that looked like herpes sores, but the burning skin continued through the week.


1. Could this be herpes?
2. Can herpes be spread through hand-genital contact or by contact through a towel?
3. If this isn't herpes, what is it?
4. Should I get tested for an event like this?

[feelingundone]

It never hurts to get something your worried about looked at by your Dr. Again I more than doubt hsv and if that were the case you would be the first person I have ever delta with or heard of getting it in this way. It simply is not a realistic outcome.

[cafecrazy]

Thanks so much.

[feelingundone]

That would be most unusual. Lesions usually start to form then the flu like symptoms would start. They include fever, swollen lymph nodes and body aches. Not like a cold at all.

[cafecrazy]

Strange, because this morning I have what appears to be a pimpl-like-bump exactly where my skin had experienced a burning sensation. Could this be just a pimple from the cortisone and lotromin creams? Or should I get this looked at?

[cafecrazy]

Thanks for the comments. Would it be possible that the bumps would appear one week after the beginning of flu like symptoms?

[cafecrazy]

Thanks for the comments. Would it be possible that the bumps would appear one week after the beginning of flu like symptoms?

[feelingundone]

Your handjob was a no risk event.
So to answer your questions.
1. No. Hsv is not transmitted by hand to genital contact.
2.herpes can live in a towel for a little while. That being said the chances of there being enough virus to be an issue is a long shot at best. So in theory it may seem possible but I have never heard or seen anyone contract hsv in this fashion. So in short you probably have as much chance of catching hsv this way as you have of being struck by a meteor tomorrow.
3.it is hard to say what it is for sure. In men that have similar symptoms and can't seem to find a clear answer, stress over the encounter is usually a prime suspect. I'm not saying this is you but hsv from this exposure is nother a real possibility. The fact that you had these symptoms without lesions further supports this. I bet the flu like symptoms are some sort of cold or flu bug.
4. I do not recommend testing as std's are not transmitted from handjobs

[cafecrazy]

I should add that I've been in a lot of lower back pain as well!