Possible Initial Outbreak Symptoms?

[Statue1804]

Hello Ms. Warren,
Four days ago I had oral and both protected and unprotected vaginal intercourse with a woman I’d dated years ago. I believe we are both negative for HSV1 and 2. I’ve since had some health issues whose pattern may indicate an upcoming initial herpes outbreak. Here’s a timeline of symptoms:
Day 1: Immediate stinging sensation in penis after intercourse. I’d rate it a 3 on a 1-10 pain scale. Blamed it on penis irritation from condom spermicide/lube. Washed up with warm water and gentle soap.
Day 2: Penis irritation remains constant at level 3. Gently rinsed penis again in warm water. Systemic symptoms begin with a general feeling of being “off” and body fighting infection. Slight brain fog with my legs a little less strong/steady than normal. Feeling stopped after several hours. No fatigue or fever and glands were normal.
Day 3: Penis irritation reduced to an intermittent level 2. Systemic symptom changes to mild nausea, on and off for several hours. Slight “brain fog” but much shorter duration than previous day. Energy levels, temperature, and glands remain normal.
Day 4 (Today): Penis irritation reduced to a sporadic level 1. Very mild nausea for a few minutes early in the day. Awoke from a nap to mild back pain that wasn’t there earlier. Two hours later the pain is mostly gone. Temperature and glands still normal.
Taken individually these symptoms wouldn’t be concerning but the circumstances make me wonder if I’m on the road to an initial herpes outbreak soon. I haven’t experienced any of the other common herpes symptoms such as tingling, itching, painful urination, discharge, etc. I’m just wondering if this reads like the beginnings of “something bad” as I don’t have a good grasp of the timeline in which symptoms present themselves or their severity.
Can you please provide your thoughts on the scenario I’ve described and how strong a likelihood you believe that it’s indicative of a herpes infection and potential outbreak?
Thank you very much!

[Terri Warren]

First of all, herpes would never cause symptoms that early and the fact that you had symptoms that early and they continue to suggest to me that this is not herpes. The irritation that you describe could be from a condom if one was used. That also suggests that it is not herpes as condoms reduce transmission from women to men by 65%. I think that herpes is unlikely here. That’s my professional opinion

Terri

[Statue1804]

Thanks very much for your insights Terri!

To be clear, we used a condom once then had vaginal intercourse a second time without. I continue to experience a litany of herpes-associated systemic symptoms:

Stiff neck – off and on but very mild – barely noticeable when active
Tingling in my left hand – lasted a few minutes then gone
Back ache – off and on but very mild – barely noticeable when active
Reduced appetite – probably from stress/anxiety
Sharp “nerve” pain in left leg – happened once or twice for a split second

It’s like my body is running down the list of symptoms but can’t decide. In the meantime, no blisters or lesions have appeared. I’m not having any pain with urination or tingling/itching/burning/pain in my lips or genitals. Everything I’ve experienced so far has been pretty mild from a physical discomfort perspective and I’m still not observing anything at all that would make me think an immune response was underway i.e. no fever, fatigue, swollen glands.

Does the fact that I am now a full 5 days beyond the event with these “teasing” symptoms but no actual outbreak further bolster your impression that my symptoms are not herpes related?

Thanks again!

[Terri Warren]

Honestly, none of these symptoms without genital sores makes me concerned that you acquired HSV at this encounter. That’s not a promise, just a professional impression

Terri

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