[Question #7229] Two follow-up questions

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59 months ago
Hello Doctor, I have two follow-up questions. 

By way of background, I gave a handjob to another man four weeks ago. He gave a handjob to me. I may have used the same hand for both penises. There was also a 10-second period in which he rubbed his penis against mine (frottage). I have read this could have exposed me to syphilis, herpes or HPV. The man said he did not have any symptoms or indications of a STD, but I have read that symptoms sometimes remain dormant.

1. About a week ago, I noticed a mild- to medium sensitivity in my penis, and a mild to medium stinging/burning feeling in my urethra. I took a urine test, and the nurse performed a urine dip to test for UTI. The nurse's initial reading suggested there was not an abnormal amount of bacteria, which he suggested likely ruled out chlamydia, gonorrhea and a UTI. He did note, however, that there was an elevated presence of red blood cells (the urine was still yellow). I am wondering what could have possibly caused the blood in my urine and what STD's could be ruled out, given the lack of bacteria.

2. I originally went to the STD clinic because of a bump on my penis. I do not recall seeing this bump before, but the nurse said they did not see cause for concern because there was no molluscum. I admit it did not look like much at the time, but sometimes it gets kind of red and it scares me. There is also another mark that caught my attention. This mark appears to be a cut. I (somewhat gently) squeezed it, and it opened up later that day. Now 24 hours later, it has healed, but the cut is still visible. I would love to hear any thoughts you may have about either of these marks, what could have caused them and any further actions I might take. 




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Edward W. Hook M.D.
59 months ago
Welcome back to the Forum although I’m sorry you continue to worry and overthink thie event that now leads to this continued guilt and anxiety.  Straight to you follow up questions.

1.  I commented previously on the tendency of persons in your situation to notice normal sensations.  I suspect that is still the case.  The absence of white blood cells in your urine tests reduces the likelihood that a typical STI I like gonorrhea or chlamydia is present however on rare occasions they may still be present. The only way to be completely sure is with a urine test for these organisms. In your case however I will remind you that the events you described did that put you at any risk whatsoever for these infections.

Red bood Cells in the urine are not a sign of any STI.  It is not at all unusual for persons to have small amounts of red blood cells present in the urine. It typically warrants no follow up. If the problem persists, evaluation with a urologist may be helpful.  

2.  The marks that you have noticed may reflect heightened self-examination, repeated self examination (no matter how gentle), or some other dermatologic process. In no way do they suggest STI.

As I indicated in my earlier reply. I think you are overly concerned over this exposure and suspect with guilt is a contributor to your continuing concerns. There is no indication or evidence that you have an STI. I hope this somewhat repetitive reply to your questions is helpful. EWH
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59 months ago
Hi Dr. Hook, I do appreciate your attention to my concerns, even though it may seem as if I'm overthinking it. I think you are right that the cut mark was caused by me stretching my penis skin for examination. I believe the stinging feeling could have been due to irritation of the urethra or the urethra hole. That stinging feeling has started going away, but then I just noticed a black mark near the bottom of my urethra hole, which freaked me out. I tried to take a look at it, and now it's all red, inflamed and kind of puffed out. I assume I unwittingly reopened a scab. Hopefully I have not infected it somehow. 
My broader concern is that I could have herpes, HPV or another STI  just inside of my urethra hole. I would love to put my mind at ease about this, and I think I am almost there. In re-reading your initial response to my first post, you said biologic transmission of herpes is very rare. What does biologic transmission mean? I have been wondering if it would put my mind at ease to get a genital herpes blood test. The STD clinic would not test for herpes unless there are visible symptoms. 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
59 months ago
I’m disappointed that you can’t let this go.  It has now been nearly a month since you were encounter of concern. This is too short a period for HPV which, parenthetically, is typically asymptomatic) to be a parent. On the other hand, herpes lesions would have appeared within 10 days of your encounter this too is not the case.  

The term “biologic transmission” is a synonym for transmission.

Once again, no expert would recommend a blood test for herpes at this time. For persons who have recently acquired herpes it can take up to six months for a test to become positive. On the other hand if your test was positive there is no way to know if this represents recently acquired infection and, given your lack of typical herpetic lesion, Would most likely represent infection acquired in the distant past. I continue to recommend against blood test for herpes although you will obviously do what you feel you need to do. 

EWH
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59 months ago
Hi Dr. Hook,  thank you for your response. I am trying to understand herpes, which appears complicated. Herpes blisters do not always appear and yet the virus can infect someone anyways. I am wondering if I have herpes and that it is causing this stinging feeling In the top of my penis as well as a sort of red rash-like mark that has appeared over a vein on my penis. I’m not sure if the vein part is relevant. 
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59 months ago
I am unable to edit my comment it seems. My suspicion in herpes was sparked by a comment from an urgent care nurse, who said the burning could be caused by herpes even though I don’t have blisters. I did not think to ask further questions at the time but it seems odd that herpes could present itself that way. I am not sure how to find out if this is the case since I don’t have any active lesions to swab. I have not received my syphilis results yet. 
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59 months ago
What if some of his semen got on my penis? What impact would that have on my risk?
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59 months ago
I also have been unable to get an erection in the last week and a half, if that is any indication of anything
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59 months ago
I also have a sort of tingling/Weakness in my left arm
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59 months ago
Testicles are also tender
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
59 months ago
Unfortunately it sounds like your anxiety and process of overthinking this event is getting worse not better. My opinion and my recommendations have not changed. You seriously need counseling to address this issue. There is no evidence that you have any STI including herpes.  The nurse who suggested that this might be herpes unfortunately, was mistaken.  I am confident that your syphilis results will be negative.

For informational purposes, persons who have initial herpes most typically have visible lesions. Following resolution of those lesions, on occasion, persons without lesions may have shedding of the virus from normal skin. This process is called asymptomatic viral shedding. It is an occasional source of transmission of infection. Our estimates however are that even when someone has asymptomatic herpes viral setting, transmission through direct contact occurs far less than 1% of the time. Nothing that you Have the scribe is in anyway reminiscent of herpes or herpes related symptoms.

Contact of your partners ejaculate with your penis would not lead to infection.

Your inability to get an erection again emphasizes your issues with anxiety. Not an STI.

Neither the tingling in your arm nor your testicular tenderness which may be due to repeated self-examinations, suggest the presence of an STI From the encounter that you have described.

As you know with this third reply, this thread is now complete and will be closed shortly. At this point I have provided all the information I am able to provide. I remain confident that the problems you are reporting and are so focused on represent your own anxiety and guilt over the exposure you know now regret. The way to address this is not with more medical testing or more questions on this form but is with seeking professional counseling to help you address your guilt.  I hope you will do this. Further repetitive, anxiety-driven questions to this forum on this topic may be closed without an answer and without return of your posting fee. I hope you will understand. EWH





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59 months ago
Everything I have read, including the CDC website, Says “You can get herpes from a sex partner who does not have a visible sore or who may not know he or she is infected.“ I am just trying to make sense of this...
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59 months ago
I tested negative for HIV 26 days after the incident. Is that definitive? I am wondering In case his semen got into a cut on my finger or in my urethra hole. 
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59 months ago
I am seeking mental health treatment by the way but I still feel a burning feeling and have tender testicles (which I rarely examine)  And the red rash where the Frottage occurred