[Question #2927] Still Very Worried

42 months ago

I had an encounter at a massage parlor I very much regret a month ago. I had briefly received unprotected oral sex on my penis and testicules from a female sex worker. I had protected sex with her, although at the end she pulled off the condom and gave me a hand job until I ejaculated. There was some open mouth kissing as well.

I masterbated two times later that night but several hours later my genitals became uncomfortable. About a day later (maybe less) my testicules, penis and around my anus started to tingle. The generalized tingling lasted for a few days to a week. For the two weeks my penis and testicles were uncomfortable, a little bit itchy but mostly just uncomfortable. I was (and have been) dwelling on the encounter and my symptoms almost immediately and really began to worry.

I could never find legions (and I looked at least a dozen times a day) although I think I had a pimple at the base of my penis but the white head was a white mass that I took out with my fingers after a few days. There may have been a rash but it was hard to tell. There were no cuts or blisters I could see.

Eventually, I had some chaffing on the side of my leg (next to where my testicules meet my leg). The right side of my penis is a little red, but most of the symptoms have subsided. I do not believe I had a fever but I was so worried that I did not sleep for maybe three or four days and was absolutely exhausted one day. I have had no discharges and to my knowledge have never had a cold sore and I do not believe I have had one since the encounter. I did not hav

I was extremely worried about herpes after googling but based on reading your posts and Dr. H's on other sites I have a feeling that my fears may have been overblown. Should I be worried about herpes or any other STD and do you think it's advisable to get tested for anything? If so, when should I do it?

Thank you for taking my question and for this website. It is hard to express how grateful I am to have this resource.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

42 months ago

None of what you describe here gives me any concern that you acquired herpes at this encounter. The chafing on the leg where the testicles meet the thigh sounds more like a mild fungal infection and you could try over the counter antifungal medicines in that particular place if it bothers you again. And I think you know the lack of sleep is more about worries than it is about any kind of STI,k right? Based on your description, I don't think herpes testing is necessary nor is it necessary to be tested for other STI's. And yes, your fears are overblown. Since your intercourse was protected and you know the condom stayed on and didn't break, I am not concerned about other STI's either.

My area of expertise on this board is herpes and I answered your question based on your herpes specific concern, but I am also very certain that neither Dr. Hook nor Dr. Hansfield would recommend STI testing in this situation.

Terri
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42 months ago

Thank you for your response. I think your right that the sleeplessness and malaise was dwelling on the encounter, I truly regret it.

If I could ask one follow up, a few days after my encounter my lips got very dry, I started licking them a lot as well. That lasted for maybe a week and a few days. About a week ago on the inside of my right lip I got what looks to be a canker sore (it is oval and it is whitish in the middle).

It is not painful and frankly if I had not been so worried about the encounter I probably would not have noticed it. I do grind my teeth at night and wear a mouthpiece. Thinking back I may have slightly burned my mouth on some hot food around the same time but I cannot be sure.

Are these symptoms of herpes or any other STI or am I being an absolute hypochondriac?

Again, thank you so much for your time, this feature and the website in general.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

42 months ago

Dry lips is not a sign of herpes. And canker sores are also not caused by herpes. Have you had them before?
I hesitate to use the word hypochondriac - I think what happens in these situation is that you start to notice very little thing that previously would have had no meaning at all for you. For example - your dry lips. You've certainly had them before right, and they meant nothing except, well, dry lips. but now, because you are noticing everything, you wonder if they are related to herpes. See what I mean?
These are not symptoms of herpes or any other STI

Terri
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42 months ago

Again hard to say on whether I have had a canker sore. But you are probably right that absent my worrying, I probably would not have noticed something that is inside of my lip , not painful and not hard.

Thank you again for your time.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

42 months ago

You are most welcome

Terri
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