Herpes risk from mutual masturbation encounter

[BoomBox52]

One week ago, I had an encounter with another guy who started to masturbate me. I didn't ejaculate, and it was only for a few minutes. I know that he has had an oral herpes sore before, but didn't at the time. I am not positive, but he may have spit in his hand before touching me and also could have touched his own genitals before/while touching mine.

I've only had sex a couple times, both with women and several months prior, and this was a random, short encounter, but now I'm worried. As soon as the next day, after realizing that he'd been exposed to at least oral herpes, my entire penis felt sensitive–not irritated, but just more sensitive to clothing, etc. After I didn't show any symptoms for a few more days, I just wrote it off as worry-induced. But now, exactly a week later, I noticed a small red bump that's appeared about midway on the top of my shaft. No itching or pain or anything, but it definitely wasn't there before.

I'm looking for advice or opinion on the risk of this being herpes. If the bump begins to itch or show discharge or if more appear, I'll be more worried, but I'm considering trying to make an appointment to get looked at tomorrow.

Thoughts?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.  Thanks for your question.

This is one I can probably answer completely and accurately based only on the title of the question.  In theory, hand-genital contact, with genital secretions or saliva as lubricant, could be a risk for those STDs that typically are transmitted skin-to-skin contact (herpes, HPV, syphilis).  However, such events are extremely rare if they occur at all.  If your only potential exposure is by mutual masturbation, you can safely assume you are not at risk for herpes or any other STD.

Now I have read the question itself.  There is nothing in your exposure history that changes what I just wrote.  Without an active cold sore, your partner's oral herpes probably wasn't infectious, even if he had performed oral sex on you or kissed you. As for your symptoms, they are not typical for herpes. Conceivably the red bump, but initial herpes usually causes multiple lesions, not only a single one; and within 1-2 days it would develop into a blister and then a pimple or open sore.  The tingling and skin sensitivity don't go along with herpes, that these started too soon:  HSV can't cause symptoms in under 2 days and 3-5 days is typical.  I'm pretty sure you're just anxious about the sexual exposure, elevating your awareness of minor body sensations that you would otherwise not notice or ignore.

So all is well.  If the penile bump changes in the way I have described, or if it persists and you would like additional reassurance, visit a doctor or clinic for professional evaluation.  But based on the information now available, you can relax.  I'm very confident you don't have herpes or any other STD.

Best wishes and happy new year--  HHH, MD

[BoomBox52]

A related discussion, Herpes sore to scab within a day? was started.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Thanks for the thanks.  I'm glad to have helped.

[BoomBox52]

Thanks so much for your quick and thorough response, Dr. Handsfield. It helped ease my mind tremendously over the past few days. I thought I'd post an update should it help others:

I ended up seeing a primary care doctor after my post when I noticed a whitish center on the bump when stretching the skin. The doctor echoed your comment about the rarity of herpes appearing as only one spot, but said that it was possible. He took a viral culture to be sure (on Monday), but predicted that I would be in the clear.

Since Monday, the bump has basically recessed back down and is hardly noticeable now. There was never any blistering/bursting or pain. I got the call today that the Herpes test was negative.

So, after driving myself crazy for a couple weeks, I think that all is well and hope that it continues to be. Thanks again for the help and best wishes for the new year.