December, condom sex with HSV-2+ girl + unprotected oral. 1 week later: severe urethritis pain, itching (penis, scrotum, groin, anal) lasting 4 weeks. No lesions. Acyclovir for 6 months. Still, every 2–3 weeks: red shiny spot left of corona + mild urethritis/itching (as above). Thigh aches precede it. No discharge. HSV-2 IgG (2 & 6 months): negative. Doc says likely seronegative HSV-2. Will swab spot when in UK if visible. Western blot in Dubai costs $75. Is it better than ELISA? Likely not same as University of Washington? Should I do it or go to USA? It's very uncomfortable + distressing. Feels like I need to pee, plus skin symptoms. Fungus ruled out. Worse with nuts/lack of sleep. I can give up sex, but symptoms really affect me. Advice? Worried about long-term partner.

Condoms reduce transmission of HSV-2 from women to men by 65% so while not perfect, they are undoubtedly useful.   The unprotected oral is not a risk for transmission of HSV 2, assuming it was her giving you oral sex?  The fact that acyclovir makes no difference AND you remain HSV-2 negative also suggests that you are not infected with HSV-2.  I would be surprised if the western blot in Dubai is the same as at UW, but honestly, I don't know anything about that test.  Also, the symptoms you are continually experiencing do not sound like herpes to me.  We often receive blood samples from people all over the world to run the blot at UW and if you decide you want to do that you can contact me at westoverheights.com.---

Thanks for your reply Terri,

Herpes does not present as a shiny red flat area, no.---

@Dr Hansfield - oral was covered but then hand was used on condom then when condom removed. Initial episode was worst, urethritis - wanted to pee all the time but no pee and never had dysuria. Now frequent milder episodes. Constantly peeling Scrotal skin from thigh and feels like peeling sellotape. Underside penis sensitive - prickly when clothes touch/brush it. I keep having to fidget with trousers as groin/scrotum/penis prickling. The red are when comes burns and urethritis/meatitis follows. Even at best its low level there. I read about pudendal neuralgia following HSV2 and of course we know igg will be negative in 1%, Maybe i am having frequent symptoms as no antibodies. Like now I'm sat on sofa and its mild but still there - like  feeling to pee deep in the corona area. I'm most comfortable in my underwear and laying with legs spread out. I appreciate your reply to my final post. I am in a long term relationship and this is difficult for me. If western blot negative do you think HSV2 would be ruled out. At least i could see a neurologist then.

I will answer this.  If the oral sex was condom protected, then adenovirus of the urethra should not be a factor.  Your symptoms sound more fungal than anything else to me.  have you tried antifungal treatments? If not, then you could try something over the counter to treat the redness and itching and prickling.  ---