[Question #33] Followup from lasth questions

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115 months ago
Terri,  late this afternoon (EST), i have experienced some itchiness at the base of my shaft of penis. 
I read online that 2-6 days after be exposed to herpes 2 this can be a symptom. Its been 2 days since the incident and my mind is racing. 

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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
115 months ago
Bill, you are letting your fears get the best of you.  My assessment of your risk is the same - no risk.  You kept your shorts on and you don't get herpes through underwear.
Do you know that you don't have herpes already, for certain?  Have you had testing for herpes antibody in the past?

Terri
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115 months ago
Yes i was tested before, some time ago and have not had sexual encounter since. 
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
115 months ago
And you are certain that you were tested for herpes as well as other STDs?  If that is correct, then there is no reason to believe that your test results would be any different as a result of this encounter.  I'll bet that you've had itching in the past and didn't even notice it but now you do because you are scared and are noticing everything.  Your experience did not put you at risk, Bill.


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115 months ago
Terri, thank you for your response. This morning i have a slight headache and some continued itching, base shaft and testicles. Overall feel not great. I am stressedd and so i can't tell if its the stress causing it or feeling bad and that is increasing stress. I understand the facts and your assessment which really helped me saturday. I just keep thinking of what i saw on her and the fear and worry engulfs me. I'm not sure how to cope. 
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
115 months ago
I'm not sure how to reassure you more.  Your anxiety is very high and it's hard to listen and process when you have high anxiety.  Maybe when you start to worry you can remind yourself "Terri said I have no risk, she has more than 30 publications in excellent journals on the topic of herpes, she is very conservative about the possibility of exposure and she says I wasn't exposed"  Just keep reassuring yourself.  You likely feel a bit ill because of all the stress and worry - it's hard to feel great when you are scared and worried. 

Terri
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115 months ago
Thank you. I take a  comfort from you and this group. I am going to go back to your email when i feel really panicky. 
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
115 months ago
That sounds like a great plan, Bill.

Best,
Terri
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115 months ago
I do seem tobe getting a cold, slight headache all day, trying not to read about early symptoms of herpes which list this type of stuff . In fact telling myself not to read anything online period 

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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
115 months ago
I think it's best if you don't read all over the place on line, just on ASHA.  When people talk about getting flu like symptoms with new herpes, it isn't cold symptoms, it is light sensitivity, severe headache, body aches. difficulty initiating a stream of urine, low grade temperature, things like that.  Cold symptoms are not part of new herpes.
This is your third question on this newest renewal, Bill, and I honesty have nothing else to offer you except the reassurance that I have already offered.  I believe we might be finished here.

Terri
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