[Question #11847] New observations, does it change anything?

12 months ago

Hello, I am still fixated on this event and don't know if I need Valtrex or Valium. To recap: brief hand contact of penis by masseuse, no oral, vaginal, or penetration. Day 17 today, no lesions but odd sensations previously. Confirmed HSV1 oral for many years. New developments that have caused concern:

1. Persistent tingling/pain/sensitivity on the left of the tip of the penis. I've not experienced this until recently.

2. Weird nerve pain/sensations in my lower left leg and foot, specifically the big toe that seems to correspond with sensations on the penis. These feelings are also new.

3. Woke up today with a red bump on the edge of my eyelid that looks sort of like a pimple. I have had styes before, but they always are in the same place and this bump is in a new location. It's not too painful and wasn't preceded by tingling, etc.

So, the questions are:

1. Could the penile sensations indicate of infection with HSV2? My existing HSV1 could suppress outward signs of a new infection, and also delay them, so maybe the timeline makes sense?

2. Same question for the leg/toe pain. Herpes is in the nerves, and I've never noticed these types of sensations previously, possibly indicating new HSV.

3. How does HSV manifest on the eyes? Could I have autoinoculated myself with HSV2 from repeatedly examining my penis while it was (potentially) shedding, and not washing hands before rubbing eyes? Might that explain the delay in the eye lesion?

4. All considered, does anything here change the initial assessment: that the contact was basically zero risk? I am hoping these things reflect anxiety and not a new infection with HSV, but it seems too coincidental.

5. 2 days ago, I resumed normal activities with my partner. Should I rethink that?

6. Because I can't let this go, I will probably get tested starting at the 3 week mark. What is the false positive rate of an IGG?

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

11 months ago

I'm so sorry you are still worried about this encounter!

1. Could the penile sensations indicate of infection with HSV2? My existing HSV1 could suppress outward signs of a new infection, and also delay them, so maybe the timeline makes sense?

You did not acquire HSV 2 from the contact that you described

2. Same question for the leg/toe pain. Herpes is in the nerves, and I've never noticed these types of sensations previously, possibly indicating new HSV.

Nope

No, that didn't happen, but HSV 1 could show up on your eye and if this is a real concern, you should have it evaluated.

This changes nothing about my opinion. You did not get HSV 2 from this encounter

5. 2 days ago, I resumed normal activities with my partner. Should I rethink that?

Nope, you should not reconsider.

6. Because I can't let this go, I will probably get tested starting at the 3 week mark. What is the false positive rate of an IGG?

in the low positive range, more than 50%. Don't do it!

Terri

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11 months ago

I appreciate the response. It is now 7+ weeks from the initial contact and I have managed to avoid running out to get tested, although I frequently consider it. I have minimized contact with my current partner in an abundance of caution.

The only things still consistently bothering me are the weird sensations in my leg and in/on the head and tip of my penis (and the anxiety, which perhaps these things go hand in hand). A more specific issue this past week was a quite painful single bump on my perineum, which I squeezed hard after a day or two, resulting in very thick, almost congealed white discharge coming out. The spot was painful for a few days after but healed.

Regarding the general observations:

- I think I recall you writing somewhere that HSV does not often manifest on the tip/head of the penis. Is this generally accurate?

Regarding the painful bump:

- Assuming I was exposed to HSV on the penis (the only location I was touched in the initial encounter), could it manifest in another location six weeks later?

- Does the bump sound consistent with an HSV outbreak?

I will review these answers and see if anything merits a third round of questions. Thanks again.

11 months ago

I will also note that the tingling/stinging/pricking sensations were on the head of my penis were quite pronounced today. No idea what is going on but it just doesn’t seem right.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

11 months ago

I have rarely seen HSV on the head of the penis alone without any lesions on the shaft of the penis.

The bumps do not sound consistent with HSV, as herpes lesions are water-filled, not filled with a congealed white substance.

Terri

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