[Question #1935] HSV2 worry

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96 months ago
Hi,

Worried about possible HSV symptoms/exposure on genitals . Please see timeline and symptoms. Thank you 

-First week of February 2017- protected intercourse. Contraceptive slipped upon pulling out. 
-Next morning felt ill(hangover perhaps) but also had a sore throat and generally felt unwell. 
-Immediately was worried about STD so took to the internet and read up on all types. Not the best idea for  Hypochondriac 
-sore throat persisted and hade some tenderness in the groin lymph nodes. Tingling of scrotum began. Scrotum felt a bit tender when rubbing against boxers after a days work. Visited DR. And said I had a throat infection, prescribed antibiotics. He Wasn't concerned with other symptoms. Sent some photos to dermatologist to view for precaution at the height of this tingling sensation as I thought it was an outbreak. Said it was fordyce spots.
- Sore throat went away with course of antibiotics and felt better but the generalized tingling in my scrotum persisted for another week.
- Treated the area with lamisil for jock itch which seemed to help. Thought maybe a male yeast infection so treated with monistat 1 which made symptoms less noticeable. I've checked the area religiously and have yet to see a group of blisters or felt pain or crusted over etc that would justify herpes. I'm worried that I'm stuck in the prodrome phase. It has now been 2 months since exposed and my scrotum and mostly area under scrotum and back of legs continue to tingle especially when sitting or laying down. Is it possible that herpes is present with only some of the documented symptoms? Any idea what could be causing a tingling pronounced when sitting and laying down? Would just like the tingling to subside and rule out different causes. Waiting for 3 month mark if testing is needed. Would you recommend someone without blisters to be tested through blood? 
Appreciate it. 
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
96 months ago
People don't get "stuck" in the prodromal phase, actually.  Prodrome, by definition, precedes an outbreak, which you have not had.  I don't believe that these symptoms are related to herpes at all.  You could read back through all the herpes posts on this board and see that many many people report tingling in the genital area and the vast majority of them do not have herpes - they end up testing and are negative.  I'm glad the antifungal medicine made things better so that suggests that you may have gotten vaginal secretion containing yeast organisms on your scrotum and it itched and was uncomfortable.

Experts disagree on herpes antibody testing - I am more of a fan than some.  If you can't stop worrying about herpes, then test if you wish, but only using IgG, never IgM.  If your result for HSV 2 is between 1.1 and 3.5, you will need confirmatory testing - just so you know before you start down this road. 

I think the condom slipping off as you withdrew indicates that it was on during intercourse which is a very good thing and makes transmission unlikely - do you even know if this person has herpes?

Terri
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96 months ago
Hello,

Thank you for the reply. I asked the other party involved and she claimed she did not have any STDS and that she was tested recently. I'm not sure if this is accurate or not as it was a casual encounter and do not know her from before that experience.  The continual symptoms of tingling is what has got me worried. I have never felt this sensation before this encounter. It is now going on for 2 months.  I've tried many different sprays(jock itch) and creams (yeast) and nothing alleviates the problem completely.  Would yeast cause these symptoms for this long and after a few rounds of topical treatments?  Could you think of anything as to why it is intensified when sitting or laying down? Thanks Terry 
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
96 months ago
The increased sensations when sitting or laying down suggest it could be some sort of prostate issue but nothing you've described in your email tells me you were actually exposed to anything urethrally.  I think a visit to a urologist might be a good idea.  I doubt that a fungal or yeast infection symptoms would really last thing long but if not resolved completely, that is possible.

Terri
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96 months ago
Do you think I can rule out herpes  as I have not had the typical outbreak containing sores,pain,lesions etc. as of two months? What about Prostatitis? I will schedule an appointment and look into prostate issues. Thank you 
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
96 months ago
Nothing you have described here sounds like herpes to me.  I don't know anything about your sexual history, so I can't address if you might have herpes or not.  Prostatitis is a possibility and I'm so glad you will see a clinician about this concern to try to sort it out.

terri
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