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.

[ncguy]

It's not you; it's me.  I've always wanted to use that line (but never thought it'd be in this context).  :-)

I tested negative for HSV1 and HSV2 a couple weeks ago when I took the panel test after 4 weeks.

It sounds like an opthamologist would have an easier time "seeing" herpes than I feared based on 6 weeks vs. 4 months.

Off the ledge.  :-)

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[auntiejessi]

Did he tell you what he thought was causing the keratitis?  A herpes eye test is quite simple for your doc to do, and if he even suspected herpes, he should have done it.

I'd follow up on that, but keep in mind that ocular herpes is quite rare, and almost always is from an oral hsv1 infection traveling up the nerve pathway to the eye.

Have you had any testing yet?  Ever been tested for herpes?  You can get a type specific IgG herpes blood test done now.  If you have hsv1, its most likely an oral infection.  

Keep in mind that I am only suggesting this since you got the karatitis diagnosis.  I am still firm that you didn't get anything from this.  I don't know how else to say it, and I'm thinking its time that you talk to someone about the anxiety.  I can give you info, but I'm clearly not doing all that well if in now 100 posts, I haven't convinced you that you are really fine.

Aj

[ncguy]

I know we've been through this, and I thought I was off the ledge, but I'm a bit freaked out after seeing the opthamologist.  He diagnosed a mild keratitis in my eye.  I googled it and found that a common cause is viral exposure, and herpes is mentioned specifically.  Ugh!

I still feel like the odds are on my side, but when I think back, is it possible I had a mild initial outbreak (i.e., no sores, but itchiness)?  If it helps it was more itching than pain... and there were definitely no sores.  I wish there were some threads explaining *why* there isn't hand-to-genital transmission of STDs (except to say no documented cases).

Is there anything short of a 4 month negative test to confirm that I didn't catch anything?  I have a bad feeling tonight will be sleepless.  :-(

Thanks again, and sorry to bother.  Truthfully, I'm not sure who I'd talk to if not you.

[auntiejessi]

Good point. :)

[ncguy]

Interesting, yes, but I think it's understandable.  It's probably not much different than those people who know that flying is safer than driving but who can't get on a plane without freaking out anyway.  When you're talking 1-in-1000 or 1-in-1,000,000 or whatever, in the abstract (or when it's faceless "other people") it's easy to be reasonable.  When it's you, it's hard to be objective.

:-)

[auntiejessi]

Well, everyone here who's had no risk tests negative.  Anyone anywhere who's had no risk will test negative.

Not that many people will come back and share their results, which is a shame.  I think it helps people to know that others are in their same situation and ended up testing negative.

And yes, everyone thinks their situation is unique.  Its an interesting phenomenon.  

Aj