Reply To: Risk of HSV1 and HSV2?

[anonymous501285]

Thank you Terri. Following up, I have experienced the following symptoms from 9/17 to 10/3
– mild rash on the glans (slight redness, tingling, hypersensitivity)
– rash symptoms are all over glans (not specific to one location, and not elsewhere on penis)

I’ve had none of the following symptoms:
– blisters/sores
– pain in area
– fever
– swollen glands
– discharge

My symptoms get better if I dont masturbate and worsen when I do. I notice them far less when I’m busy with something and far more of I’m thinking about it. I’m an uncircumcised male.

There has been no further exposure beyond what was described above.

My PCP looked on 9/20 and said it was unlikely STI and was probably dermatitis, perhaps from having washed all over with harsh hand soap, and then exacerbated by masturbation friction. They recommended hydrocortisone which I used for a week and it seemed to help with immediate symptoms, but overall the rash didn’t clear up so I stopped for now.

I am feeling quite concerned as it’s been nearly 2 weeks of having ongoing mild rash.

1. Do you know what might cause nearly 2 weeks of mild rash symptoms as described?
2. Do the symptoms I’ve described sound like herpes?
3. You mentioned maybe 5% chance of contracting HSV1 genitally through oral asymptomatic virus shedding. I know there is not great data on this but I’m surprised and a bit anxious at the 5%, 1 in 20 feels high. Is your guess here inclusive of both of “chance of virus being shed when asymptomatic” (~10% of days?) AND “chance of actually acquiring virus given the encounter”? I am hoping to better understand how you see the risk profile?
4. Have you commonly seen if someone is concerned about an STI exposure that they wash a lot with soap and unintentionally cause a rash that can last several weeks?