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STDs (Expert Forum)
worried
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Warts, Yeast Infection.All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
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worried
by bob17, Nov 15, 2006 12:00AM
I am a 21 year old uncircumsized male. About 6 and a half weeks ago, i recieved unprotected oral sex for under a minute then stopped, i did not notice any cold sores or anything on her mouth. About a week later i noticed my foreskin looked bit red while urninating and immeidatly worried myself sick, later that day i felt a minor burning at the tip of my penis. i searched online and again scared myself sick for the next week. i went to the doctors about 5 days after this happened, and he said he thought it may be a urinary tract infection, i was swabbed for chlamydia and gonorhea and blood tested for herpes and hiv. all returned negetive, and by this time it seemed the burning was settling down abit. i was put on doxycyline for 10 days and zmax 2 gr oral suspension as well at the end of that because i still felt that i had a minor burning and was very worried. Now to date i have still experienced off and on burning, it is not painful, just seems like it is always htere and in the back of my mind. i have never expirienced painful urination or discharge, never notcied any type of rash or bumps, or blisters or ulcers, or anything of that sort. but now about the last week or two, possible the whole time, my meatus has looked red and irritated, sometimes swollen one sid emore than hte other, and sometimes looks like it is almost coming apart somewhat, i inspect very frequently because i am very worried. but everywhere i look there isn't a std or anything that i can see that would cause my meatus to swell and somewhat split apart like this and look somewhat raw. i have never had any problems before with irritation to soaps or anyhting, although the head of my penis is somewhat sensitive because i am uncircumsized. my question is , what could this be, and what would be causing this burning for this long, it seems like when im doing something and its not on my mind,i don't notice it, and why lately have i been noticing that my meatus looks swelled. i believe some of this mayb be in my head, but if it is, why is my meatus look red and swelled? i seen my gp twice during this time and he assured me both times he did not think it was herpes. to be safe i am going for another bloodtest next week which will be nearly 8 weeks since exposure, then i will do another one around the 12 week mark. should i be worried about herpes?
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Nov 15, 2006 12:00AM
, Nov 15, 2006 12:00AM
The risk of STD is low from oral sex, especially such a brief exposure. Equally important, 6 weeks is too long for any STD to show up. And your symptoms are not typical for herpes or other STD anyway. Given all those factors, you can be certain you don't have an STD acquired during the event 6 weeks ago.
Most likely your symptoms are not at all related to that exposure. Since you are uncircumcised, the best bet is balanitis--the medical term for inflammation of the head of the penis. Some balanitis is due to yeast; other cases may be due to bacteria, especially if there is a hygiene problem (i.e., not retracting the foreskin and washing with soap and water--which ought to be done once a day); or "nonspecific" balanitis, meaning no specific cause can be found. The symptoms do not sound like herpes; urinary tract infections are rare in young men; and the doxycycline and/or azithromycin (Zmax) would have cleared up any STD (which as I said is almost impossible anyway).
Bottom line: Follow your provider's advice. If uncertain about his expertise, seek a second opinion, e.g. from a dermatologist. In the meantime, don't worry about herpes or any other STD. I see no particular need for additional herpes testing, unless it will give you some peace of mind.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Most likely your symptoms are not at all related to that exposure. Since you are uncircumcised, the best bet is balanitis--the medical term for inflammation of the head of the penis. Some balanitis is due to yeast; other cases may be due to bacteria, especially if there is a hygiene problem (i.e., not retracting the foreskin and washing with soap and water--which ought to be done once a day); or "nonspecific" balanitis, meaning no specific cause can be found. The symptoms do not sound like herpes; urinary tract infections are rare in young men; and the doxycycline and/or azithromycin (Zmax) would have cleared up any STD (which as I said is almost impossible anyway).
Bottom line: Follow your provider's advice. If uncertain about his expertise, seek a second opinion, e.g. from a dermatologist. In the meantime, don't worry about herpes or any other STD. I see no particular need for additional herpes testing, unless it will give you some peace of mind.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Forget herpes. Follow through on your plan to see your doctor once again, but I see no point in further testing for herpes.
HHH, MD
Stop trying so hard to convince yourself, and me, that you have herpes. You do not, nor are your symptoms due to any other STD. Accept it as good news and move on.