[Question #8794] Hsv?

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39 months ago
I am a male who on 4/23 had unprotected oral(3mins) and protected vaginal with Asian female sex worker
4/26 had diarrhea for 3days.  4/27 front and back of thighs from hip to knee caps severely achy and tired lasting about a week along with very upset stomach issues. 4/28 right side shaft of penis extremely itchy for 2 days and when I mean itchy that would be understated.  After 2 days It has become milder but still somewhat itchy as of today.  Didn’t notice legions or sores but skin is red (probably from trying to stop the itch)and under phone camera might have seen minuscule crack in skin not noticeable without zooming in.  The itchy spot is in one isolated spot midway down shaft. .  Today 8 days post exposure no diarrhea but still have slight upset stomach and although not constant itchiness on shaft I do feel it  especially when I touch area such as when urinating.  Should probably add the area on penis has never caused pain just itch.   Any insight on what this could be or what I should do would be very appreciated.  
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
39 months ago
I'm sorry you are having these issues.  However, it doesn't sound like herpes to me.  The condom used will greatly reduce the risk you have of acquiring HSV 2 from intercourse, and the short duration of the unprotected oral sex makes me less concerned that you might have gotten HSV from that experience as well.  Have you ever had a cold sore in your lifetime?  If yes, then you already have HSV 1, which is the risk from receiving unprotected oral sex.  Once you have HSV in one location, it is extremely unlikely that you would acquire it in a new location (like your penis).  Also, if you did acquire new herpes in this situation and were going to be symptomatic, I would normally expect more symptoms than just itching.  While herpes lesions do itch for some people, you aren't describing anything that sounds to me like herpes lesions.  And it's very good that you don't have any places that are painful as well.  In addition, the risk of acquiring HSV in a single act of intercourse is very low indeed.

Terri Warren
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