probably overreacting

[ncguy]

Two weeks ago I received an "erotic massage" in a hotel room.  The only skin to skin contact was with her hand, however, I'm converned that I may have caught something from the bedspread while I was laying down naked. About 3 days after I noticed a slight discoloration on the tip of my penis, and the same day had a STD panel test done (all results came back negative).  However, the spot is still there, and I have mild discomfort in my genitals that comes and goes.  I'm pretty sure it's stress, but the spot worries me.  I was planning to get another panel test in a couple weeks (after a month). If they all come back negative, am I in the clear?

Thank you so much.

[auntiejessi]

If I knew the meaning of life, I'd be rich.  :)

Good luck on Friday, and let me know what happens.

Aj

[ncguy]

Wow! Cross-posting.  That's kinda fun.  Thanks for the information.  I talked with a friend who had herpes in his eye about 20 years ago.  Evidently, the opthamologist ought to be able to see virus/non-virus when he does the dyed slit lamp.  (Somehow the virus picks up the dye but other stuff doesn't.)  That he didn't say "virus" a few days ago either means that it was so early that he couldn't tell (which seems unlikely since I felt something that prompted me to go in) or it wasn't a virus.  Either way, if it's a virus, he should be able to tell no problem on Friday.

Thanks again for all the help.  Do you do other questions?  For example, I've always wanted to know the meaning of life... any thoughts there?  :-)

[auntiejessi]

2b - Yes, I'd say its virtually impossible.

Yes, it sounds right.

Sure you aren't on the ledge?

[ncguy]

Follow-up:

(2b) Based on the phenomenon of the virus traveling along the nerve to the eye (and on other similar stories of, e.g., kids who get herpes in their eyes after having it on their face/mouth), is it safe to say that it'd be almost impossible to get herpes in your eye without already having it in your body?  In other words, if you believe the docs and the nice folks here who talk guys like me off the ledge, there's zero chance of HSV from a handjob and a towel (and more and more, I'm getting on board with the logic there, and further encouraged by no lesions).  In that case, my panel result from a few weeks ago says I'm negative for HSV-1 and HSV-2... so there'd be no herpes to travel up into the eye.  Sound right?  :-)

[auntiejessi]

If its getting worse, I'd stop using the drops.  You might be having a reaction to them.

1 - I have no idea.  I'd guess low, as ocular herpes is rare.

2 - Its possible, in theory, but unlikely.  I'd guess you'd have to touch an outbreak, and then immediately touch your eye.  I've not heard of anyone doing this.

Your doc should be able to get a sample of the secretions and find out what it is.

AJ

[ncguy]

Still off the ledge.  Logic is still winning out.  But the eye stuff is getting worse.  I can't see the opthamologist until Friday.  :-(

From what I've read, the condition can be caused by pretty much anything (bacteria, virus, dry eyes, UV... the list seems to go on forever).  The doc gave me a sample of some eye drops that contain a steroid (which I just read googling should not be used for viral infections)... so perhaps the drops are making it worse and indicating viral infection, or perhaps it was going to get worse on its own.

My questions are these (and it's for confirmation because logic has me off the ledge): even if we stipulate the HSV-1 vs. HSV-2 thing making it unlikely that it's HSV (and I realize that this is not your area of expertise, but I've had no luck getting stuff through internet searches):

(1) What fraction of viral infections of the eyes are HSV?

(2) Is it possible to get the HSV into your eye via contaminated hands?  (My guess is no since you evidently can't really infect, say genitals with HSV that you've touched with your hands; and furthermore you mentioned the virus moving up the nerve into the eye.)

Thanks again... (and, really, I'm off the ledge.  I'm just a bit bummed I can't enjoy solid ground with this eye irritation.)